Gaming system and method providing a battling symbol generators game

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a battling symbol generators game. In various embodiments, each symbol generator of a set of symbol generators employed for the battling symbol generators game is associated with one of a plurality of different characteristics. During play of the battling symbol generators game, the gaming system modifies the set of symbol generators upon the occurrence of various symbol generator set modification events such that more symbol generators of the set are associated with a particular characteristic and/or such that fewer symbol generators of the set are associated with another characteristic. The gaming system provides a bonus when a designated quantity of the symbol generators of the set are each associated with a particular characteristic.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/027,946, which was filedon Sep. 16, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated byreference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or maycontain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appearsin the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Gaming systems that provide players awards in primary or base games arewell known. These gaming systems generally require a player to place awager to activate a play of the primary game. For many of these gamingsystems, any award provided to a player for a wagered-on play of aprimary game is based on the player obtaining a winning symbol or awinning symbol combination and on an amount of the wager (e.g., thehigher the amount of the wager, the higher the award). Winning symbolsor winning symbol combinations that are less likely to occur typicallyresult in larger awards being provided when they do occur.

For such known gaming systems, an amount of a wager placed on a primarygame by a player may vary. For instance, a gaming system may enable aplayer to wager a minimum quantity of credits, such as one credit (e.g.,in monetary currency, one penny, nickel, dime, quarter, or dollar; innon-monetary currency, one point, credit, coin, token, free play credit,or virtual buck), up to a maximum quantity of credits, such as fivecredits. The gaming system may enable the player to place this wager asingle time or multiple times for a single play of the primary game. Forinstance, a gaming system configured to operate a slot game may have oneor more paylines, and the gaming system may enable a player to place awager on each of the paylines for a single play of the slot game. Thus,it is known that a gaming system, such as one configured to operate aslot game, may enable players to place wagers of substantially differentamounts on each play of a primary game. For example, the amounts of thewagers may range from one credit up to 125 credits (e.g., five creditson each of twenty-five separate paylines). This is also true for otherwagering games, such as video draw poker, in which players can placewagers of one or more credits on each hand, and in which multiple handscan be played simultaneously. Accordingly, it should be appreciated thatdifferent players play at substantially different wager amounts orlevels and substantially different rates of play.

Bonus or secondary games are also known in gaming systems. Such gamingsystems usually provide an award to a player for a play of one suchbonus game in addition to any awards provided for any plays of anyprimary games. Bonus games usually do not require an additional wager tobe placed by the player to be initiated. Bonus games are typicallyinitiated or triggered upon an occurrence of a designated triggeringsymbol or designated triggering symbol combination in the primary game.For instance, a gaming system may initiate or trigger a bonus game whena bonus symbol occurs on the payline on the third reel of a three reelslot machine. The gaming systems generally indicates when a bonus gameis initiated or triggered through one or more visual and/or audio outputdevices, such as the reels, lights, speakers, display screens, etc. Partof the enjoyment and excitement of playing certain gaming systems is theinitiation or triggering of a bonus game, even before the player knowsan amount of a bonus award won via the bonus game.

Various players continually seek out new and different variations togaming systems. A continuing need thus exists for gaming systems andmethods that provide new, exciting, and engaging games.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming systemand method providing a battling symbol generators game. In variousembodiments, each symbol generator of a set of symbol generatorsemployed for the battling symbol generators game is associated with oneof a plurality of different characteristics. During play of the battlingsymbol generators game, the gaming system modifies the set of symbolgenerators upon the occurrence of various symbol generator setmodification events such that more symbol generators of the set areassociated with a particular characteristic and/or such that fewersymbol generators of the set are associated with another characteristic.The gaming system provides a bonus when a designated quantity of thesymbol generators of the set are each associated with a particularcharacteristic.

In operation of one embodiment, the gaming system displays a play of agame associated with a set of a plurality of symbol generators (such asreels). In this embodiment: (a) a first quantity of one or more of thesymbol generators of the set are each associated with a firstcharacteristic, and (b) a second quantity of one or more of the symbolgenerators of the set are each associated with a second differentcharacteristic. If a first symbol generator set modification eventoccurs in association with said play of the game, the gaming systemmodifies the set of symbol generators such that a third quantity of thesymbol generators of the set are each associated with the firstcharacteristic, the third quantity being greater than the firstquantity.

If, on the other hand, a second different symbol generator setmodification event occurs in association with the play of the game, thegaming system modifies the set of symbol generators such that a fourthquantity of the symbol generators of the set are associated with thesecond characteristic, the fourth quantity being greater than the secondquantity. If each of the symbol generators of the set are associatedwith the first characteristic, the gaming system provides a bonusassociated with the first characteristic. If each of the symbolgenerators of the set are associated with the second characteristic, thegaming system provides a bonus associated with the secondcharacteristic.

In operation of another embodiment, the gaming system displays a play ofa game associated with a set of a plurality of symbol generators (suchas reels). In this embodiment: (a) a first quantity of one or more ofthe symbol generators of the set are each associated with a firstcharacteristic, and (b) a second quantity of one or more of the symbolgenerators of the set are each associated with a second differentcharacteristic. If a symbol generator set modification event occurs inassociation with said play of the game, the gaming system modifies theset of symbol generators such that one of: (a) a third quantity of thesymbol generators of the set are each associated with the firstcharacteristic, the third quantity being greater than the firstquantity; and (b) a fourth quantity of the symbol generators of the setare associated with the second characteristic, the fourth quantity beinggreater than the second quantity. If each of the symbol generators ofthe set are associated with the first characteristic, the gaming systemprovides a bonus associated with the first characteristic. If each ofthe symbol generators of the set are associated with the secondcharacteristic, the gaming system provides a bonus associated with thesecond characteristic.

It should thus be appreciated that the gaming system and method of thepresent disclosure provide a new game to increase player engagement,enjoyment, entertainment, and excitement.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating oneembodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, and 2I illustrate screen shots ofone example embodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosureproviding a plurality of plays of one example embodiment of the game ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, and 3I illustrate screen shots ofanother example embodiment of the gaming system of the presentdisclosure providing a play of another example embodiment of the game ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, and 4I illustrate screen shots ofanother example embodiment of the gaming system of the presentdisclosure providing a plurality of plays of another example embodimentof the game of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, and 5I illustrate screen shots ofanother example embodiment of the gaming system of the presentdisclosure providing a plurality of free plays of another exampleembodiment of the game of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate screen shots of another example embodiment ofthe gaming system of the present disclosure providing a play of anotherexample embodiment of the game of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a networkconfiguration of the gaming system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is a schematic block diagram of an example electronicconfiguration of the gaming system of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of example alternative embodimentsof the gaming system of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Battling Symbol Generators Game

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming systemand method providing a battling symbol generators game. While thebattling symbol generators game is implemented as a primary wageringgame in the certain of the embodiments described herein and as a bonusgame in other of the embodiments described herein, it should beappreciated that any embodiment of the battling symbol generators gameof the present disclosure may be implemented as a primary game and/or abonus or secondary game. Further, while any credit balances, any wagers,and any awards are displayed as amounts of monetary currency or credits,one or more of such credit balances, such wagers, and such awards may befor any suitable non-monetary credits or currency, promotional credits,and/or player tracking points or credits.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of an example process or method 100 ofoperating one embodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosure.In various embodiments, the process 100 is represented by a set ofinstructions stored in one or more memories and executed by one or moreprocessors. Although the process 100 is described with reference to theflowchart shown in FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that many otherprocesses of performing the acts associated with this illustratedprocess 100 may be employed. For example, the order of certain of theillustrated blocks and/or diamonds may be changed, certain of theillustrated blocks and/or diamonds may be optional, and/or certain ofthe illustrated blocks and/or diamonds may not be employed.

In operation of this example embodiment, the gaming system receives awager on a play of a battling symbol generators game (sometimes referredto herein as the “game”) associated with a plurality of different symbolgenerators and a plurality of different symbols, as indicated by block102. In this example embodiment: (a) each of the symbol generators isassociated with two or more of the symbols, (b) each of the symbolgenerators is associated with one of a plurality of differentcharacteristics, and (c) at least two of the symbol generators areassociated with different characteristics. For the play of the game, foreach symbol generator of a set of two or more of the plurality of symbolgenerators, the gaming system displays that symbol generator inassociation with one or more of a plurality of symbol display areas, asindicated by block 104. In this example embodiment, a first quantity ofone or more of the symbol generators of the set are each associated witha first one of the characteristics, and a second quantity of one or moreof the symbol generators of the set are each associated with a seconddifferent one of the characteristics.

For each symbol generator of the set, the gaming system displays atleast one of the symbols associated with that symbol generator at eachof the one or more symbol display areas with which that symbol generatoris associated, as indicated by block 106. The gaming system determinesany awards associated with the displayed symbols, as indicated by block108, and displays any determined awards, as indicated by block 110. Thegaming system determines whether a first symbol generator setmodification event occurred in association with the play of the game, asindicated by diamond 112.

If the gaming system determines that the first symbol generator setmodification event occurred in association with the play of the game,the gaming system modifies the set of symbol generators such that athird quantity of the symbol generators of the set are each associatedwith the first characteristic, as indicated by block 114. In thisexample embodiment, the third quantity is greater than the firstquantity. The gaming system ends the play of the game, as indicated byblock 120. If, on the other hand, the gaming system determines that thefirst symbol generator set modification event did not occur inassociation with the play of the game, the gaming system determineswhether a second different symbol generator set modification eventoccurred in association with the play of the game, as indicated bydiamond 116.

If the gaming system determines that the second symbol generator setmodification event occurred in association with the play of the game,the gaming system modifies the set of symbol generators such that afourth quantity of the symbol generators of the set are each associatedthe second characteristic, as indicated by block 118. In this exampleembodiment, the fourth quantity is greater than the second quantity. Thegaming system ends the play of the game, as indicated by block 120. If,on the other hand, the gaming system determines that the second symbolgenerator set modification event did not occur in association with theplay of the game, the gaming system ends the play of the game, asindicated by block 120.

Battling Symbol Generators Game with Symbol Generator Replacement

In various embodiments, the symbol generators are reels. In certain suchembodiments, if the gaming system determines that the first reel setmodification event occurs in association with a play of the game, thegaming system modifies the set of reels such that a third quantity ofthe reels of the set are each associated with the first characteristic,wherein the third quantity is greater than the first quantity. Incertain embodiments, the gaming system does so by: (a) removing at leastone of the reels that is not associated with the first characteristicfrom the set, and (b) replacing the removed at least one reel with atleast one reel that is associated with the first characteristic.

As also noted above, in various embodiments, if the gaming systemdetermines that the second reel set modification event occurs inassociation with a play of the game, the gaming system modifies the setof reels such that a fourth quantity of the reels of the set are eachassociated with the second characteristic, wherein the fourth quantityis greater than the second quantity. In certain embodiments, the gamingsystem does so by: (a) removing at least one of the reels that is notassociated with the second characteristic from the set, and (b)replacing the removed at least one reel with at least one reel that isassociated with the second characteristic.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, and 2I illustrate screen shots ofone example embodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosureproviding a plurality of plays of one example embodiment of the battlingreels game of the present disclosure. The battling reels game is aprimary wagering game in this example embodiment. The gaming systemdisplays, such as on display device 1116 or 1118 (described below), aplurality of symbol display areas 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d, 210 e, 210f, 210 g, 210 h, 210 i, 210 j, 210 k, 210 l, 210 m, 210 n, and 210 oarranged in a 3×5 grid or matrix. The gaming system displays a pluralityof paylines, each of which is associated with a different plurality ofthe symbol display areas. In this example embodiment: (a) payline 215 ais associated with symbol display areas 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d, and210 e; (b) payline 215 b is associated with symbol display areas 210 f,210 g, 210 h, 210 i, and 210 j; and (c) payline 215 c is associated withsymbol display areas 210 k, 210 l, 210 m, 210 n, and 210 o.

The gaming system also displays: (a) a message box 260 in which thegaming system displays a variety of messages or indications before,during, or after play of the game; (b) a plurality of meters including:(i) a credit meter 270 in which the gaming system displays the player'scredit balance (in credit or currency form), (ii) a wager or bet meter280 that displays any wager or bet placed on a play of the game (incredit or currency form), and (iii) an award meter 290 that displays anyawards won for the play of the game (in credit or currency form); and(c) a Spin button 294 that, when actuated by the player, causes thegaming system to initiate a play of the game. While in this illustratedexample embodiment the gaming system indicates the player's creditbalance, any wagers, and any awards in the form of amounts of currency,it should be appreciated that such indications may alternatively oradditionally be made in the form of amounts of credits.

In this example embodiment, the game is associated with a plurality ofsymbols and a plurality of reels (i.e., symbol generators in thisexample embodiment). Here: (a) each of the plurality of reels isassociated with two or more of the plurality of symbols; (b) each reelis associated with or has one of a plurality of different themes (i.e.,characteristics in this example embodiment) and includes a backgroundassociated with that theme; and (c) at least three of the reels areassociated with different themes. In this example embodiment, the themes(and their associated backgrounds) include: (a) a first alien theme(associated with a hatched background), (b) a second pirate theme(associated with a dotted background), and (c) a third neutral theme(associated with a blank background). It should be appreciated that thegaming system may distinguish reels having different themes (i.e., reelsthat are associated with different characteristics) in any suitablemanner instead of or in addition to displaying different backgrounds forthe reels. Additionally, in this example embodiment, for each reel, oneor more of the symbols associated with that reel also have the theme ofthat reel. For instance, one or more of the symbols on a reel having thealien theme also have the alien theme.

In this example embodiment, for each play of the game, the gaming systememploys a set of the plurality of reels including two or more of, butfewer than all of, the plurality of reels. Here, the gaming systeminitially employs an initial set of the reels including reels 205 a, 205b, 205 c, 205 d, and 205 e for the game. The gaming system displays thereels 205 a, 205 b, 205 c, 205 d, and 205 e from left to right inassociation with the plurality of symbol display areas such that eachreel is configured to display symbols at one or more of the symboldisplay areas. More specifically, the gaming system displays: (a) thereel 205 a in association with the symbol display areas 210 a, 210 f,and 210 k; (b) the reel 205 b in association with the symbol displayareas, 210 b, 210 g, and 210 l; (c) the reel 205 c in association withthe symbol display areas 210 c, 210 h, and 210 m; (d) the reel 205 d inassociation with the symbol display areas 210 d, 210 i, and 210 n; and(e) the reel 205 e in association with the symbol display areas 210 e,210 j, and 210 o.

In this example embodiment, the gaming system determines any awardsassociated with a play of the game based on the symbols displayed at thesymbol display areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinationsof the symbols included in a paytable (not shown) associated with thegame are displayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines, and(b) whether any winning combinations of the symbols are displayed fromright to left along any wagered-on paylines. It should be appreciatedthat, in this example embodiment, symbols of the same level may formwinning symbol combinations regardless of the theme of those symbols.For instance, the symbols A1-N1-P1 form a winning symbol combinationbecause they are all of the same level (i.e., “1”), even though eachsymbol has with a different theme. In other embodiments, winning symbolcombinations may only be formed from symbols having the same theme.

In this example embodiment, with respect to the initial set of reels:(a) the leftmost reels 205 a and 205 b of the set each have the alientheme and, therefore, each display the hatched background associatedwith the alien theme; (b) the middle reel 205 c of the set has theneutral theme and, therefore, displays the blank background associatedwith the neutral theme; and (c) the rightmost reels 205 d and 205 e ofthe set each have the pirate theme and, therefore, each display thedotted background associated with the pirate theme. During game play inthis example embodiment, the gaming system: (a) removes and replaces oneor more reels having with the neutral or pirate themes with one or morereels having the alien theme upon an occurrence of a first reel setmodification event, and (b) removes and replaces one or more reelshaving the neutral or alien themes with one or more reels having thepirate theme upon an occurrence of a second different reel setmodification event.

More specifically, in this example embodiment, the gaming systemdetermines that the first reel set modification event occurs inassociation with a play of the game when: (a) a sum of any awardsassociated with any winning combinations of symbols displayed from leftto right along any wagered-on paylines is greater than a sum of anyawards associated with any winning combinations of symbols displayedfrom right to left along any wagered-on paylines, and (b) at least oneof the reels of the set does not have the alien theme. The gaming systemdetermines that the second reel set modification event occurs inassociation with a play of the game when: (a) a sum of any awardsassociated with any winning combinations of symbols displayed from rightto left along any wagered-on paylines is greater than a sum of anyawards associated with any winning combinations of symbols displayedfrom left to right along any wagered-on paylines, and (b) at least oneof the reels of the set does not have the pirate theme.

In this example embodiment, upon an occurrence of the first reel setmodification event, the gaming system modifies the set of reels byremoving the reel that is adjacent to the rightmost reel having thealien theme and replacing it with another reel that has the alien themesuch that the modified set of reels includes one more reel having thealien theme than it did before being modified. Similarly, upon anoccurrence of the second reel set modification event, the gaming systemmodifies the set of reels by removing the reel that is adjacent to theleftmost reel having the pirate theme and replacing it with another reelthat has the pirate theme such that the modified set of reels includesone more reel having the pirate theme than it did before being modified.

The gaming system is configured to provide a plurality of differentbonuses in this example embodiment. Specifically, the gaming system isconfigured to provide an alien-themed bonus and a pirate-themed bonus.Here, the gaming system provides the alien-themed bonus upon anoccurrence of an alien bonus triggering event, which occurs when thegaming system modifies the set of reels such that a designated quantityof each of the reels in the set of reels has the alien theme. The gamingsystem provides the pirate-themed bonus upon an occurrence of a piratebonus triggering event, which occurs when the gaming system modifies theset of reels such that the designated quantity of each of the reels inthe set of reels has the pirate theme. It should be appreciated that thedesignated quantity may be any suitable quantity of the reels. In otherembodiments, the gaming system is configured to provide one bonus gameand provides that bonus game upon the occurrence of either the first orthe second bonus triggering event.

In this example embodiment, after providing the alien bonus upon theoccurrence of the alien bonus triggering event or the pirate bonus uponthe occurrence of the pirate bonus triggering event, the gaming systemresets the set of reels to the initial set of reels.

Turning to FIG. 2A, the gaming system receives a wager of 100 credits(as shown in the bet meter 280) and an actuation of the Spin button 294from the player. Accordingly, the gaming system initiates a play of thegame and spins the reels 205 a, 205 b, 205 c, 205 d, and 205 e. Thegaming system displays the following message in the message box 260:“YOU BET 100 CREDITS . . . GOOD LUCK!” As illustrated in FIG. 2B, thegaming system reduces the player's credit balance by the 100 creditwager (as shown in the credit meter 270) and displays the reels 205 a,205 b, 205 c, 205 d, and 205 e spinning. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 260: “PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REELSSPIN . . . ”

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the gaming system stops the reels 205 a, 205b, 205 c, 205 d, and 205 e such that: (a) A4 symbol 220 a is displayedat the symbol display area 210 a, (b) A2 symbol 220 b is displayed atthe symbol display area 210 b, (c) N1 symbol 220 c is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 c, (d) P1 symbol 220 d is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 d, (e) P1 symbol 220 e is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 e, (f) A5 symbol 220 f is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 f, (g) A3 symbol 220 g is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 g, (h) N2 symbol 220 h is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 h, (i) P4 symbol 220 i is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 i, (j) P3 symbol 220 j is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 j, (k) A6 symbol 220 k is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 k, (l) A1 symbol 220 l is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 l, (m) N2 symbol 220 m is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 m, (n) P1 symbol 220 n is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 n, and (o) P2 symbol 220 o is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 o.

As noted above, the gaming system determines any awards associated withthe play of the game based on the symbols displayed at the symboldisplay areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinations of thesymbols included in the paytable associated with the game are displayedfrom left to right along any of the paylines, and (b) whether anywinning combinations of the symbols are displayed from right to leftalong any of the paylines. Here, the gaming system determines that thesymbols P1 220 e, P1 220 d, and N1 220 c displayed from right to leftalong the payline 215 a form one of the winning symbol combinations. Thegaming system determines an award of 100 credits associated with thedisplayed P1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination, displays the 100 creditaward in the award meter 290, and updates the player's credit balance toreflect the 100 credit award.

The gaming system determines whether the first reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the play of the game, as describedabove. Here, the gaming system determines that the first reel setmodification event did not occur in association with the play of thegame because the sum of awards (0 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines (no winning symbol combinations) is not greater thanthe sum of awards (100 credits) associated with any winning combinationsof symbols displayed from right to left along any wagered-on paylines(the P1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination).

The gaming system determines whether the second reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the play of the game, as describedabove. Here, the gaming system determines that the second reel setmodification event occurred in association with the play of the gamebecause: (a) the sum of awards (100 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from right to left along anywagered-on paylines (the P1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination) is greaterthan the sum of awards (0 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines (no winning symbol combinations); and (b) the reels205 a, 205 b, and 205 c do not have the pirate theme.

As noted above, upon an occurrence of the second reel set modificationevent in this example embodiment, the gaming system modifies the set ofreels by removing the reel that is adjacent to the leftmost reel havingthe pirate theme and replacing it with another reel that has the piratetheme. Thus, the modified set of reels includes one more reel having thepirate theme than it did before being modified. The gaming systemdisplays the following message in the message box 260: “YOU WIN 100CREDITS FOR THE P1-P1-N1 WINNING SYMBOL COMBINATION DISPLAYED FROM RIGHTTO LEFT ALONG THE TOP PAYLINE! PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REEL ADJACENT TOTHE LEFTMOST PIRATE REEL IS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PIRATE REEL!”

As illustrated in FIG. 2D, in this instance the leftmost reel that hasthe pirate theme is the reel 205 d, and the reel that is adjacent to thereel 205 d is the reel 205 c (which has the neutral theme). Accordingly,the gaming system removes the reel 205 c. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 260: “THE NEUTRAL REEL IS REMOVED .. . ” As illustrated in FIG. 2E, the gaming system replaces the removedreel 205 c with reel 205 f, which has the pirate theme, such that thereel 205 f is associated with and configured to display symbols at thesymbol display areas 210 c, 210 h, and 210 m. The gaming system displaysthe following message in the message box 260: “ . . . AND A PIRATE REELIS ADDED IN ITS PLACE! CONVERT ALL OF THE REELS INTO PIRATE REELS TOTRIGGER THE PIRATE BONUS, OR CONVERT ALL OF THE REELS INTO ALIEN REELSTO TRIGGER THE ALIEN BONUS!”

As also illustrated in FIG. 2E, the gaming system receives anotheractuation of the Spin button 294 from the player. Accordingly, thegaming system initiates another play of the game and spins the reels 205a, 205 b, 205 c, 205 d, and 205 e. As illustrated in FIG. 2F, the gamingsystem reduces the player's credit balance by the 100 credit wager (asshown in the credit meter 270) and displays the reels 205 a, 205 b, 205c, 205 d, and 205 e spinning. The gaming system displays the followingmessage in the message box 260: “PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REELS SPIN . . .”

As illustrated in FIG. 2G, the gaming system stops the reels 205 a, 205b, 205 c, 205 d, and 205 e such that: (a) A7 symbol 221 a is displayedat the symbol display area 210 a, (b) A1 symbol 221 b is displayed atthe symbol display area 210 b, (c) P1 symbol 221 c is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 c, (d) P1 symbol 221 d is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 d, (e) P4 symbol 221 e is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 e, (f) A8 symbol 221 f is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 f, (g) A7 symbol 221 g is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 g, (h) P7 symbol 221 h is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 h, (i) P7 symbol 221 i is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 i, (j) P7 symbol 221 j is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 j, (k) A6 symbol 221 k is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 k, (l) A2 symbol 221 l is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 l, (m) P2 symbol 221 m is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 m, (n) P3 symbol 221 n is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 n, and (o) P3 symbol 2210 is displayed at thesymbol display area 210 o.

As noted above, the gaming system determines any awards associated withthe play of the game based on the symbols displayed at the symboldisplay areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinations of thesymbols included in the paytable associated with the game are displayedfrom left to right along any of the paylines, and (b) whether anywinning combinations of the symbols are displayed from right to leftalong any of the paylines. Here, the gaming system determines that thesymbols P7 221 j, P7 221 i, P7 221 h, and A7 221 g displayed from rightto left along the payline 215 b form one of the winning symbolcombinations. The gaming system determines an award of 1,000 creditsassociated with the displayed P7-P7-P7-A7 winning symbol combination;displays the 1,000 credit award in the award meter 290; and updates theplayer's credit balance to reflect the 1,000 credit award.

The gaming system determines whether the first reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the play of the game, as describedabove. Here, the gaming system determines that the first reel setmodification event did not occur in association with the play of thegame because the sum of awards (0 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines (no winning symbol combinations) is not greater thanthe sum of awards (1,000 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from right to left along anywagered-on paylines (the P7-P7-P7-A7 winning symbol combination).

The gaming system determines whether the second reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the play of the game, as describedabove. Here, the gaming system determines that the second reel setmodification event occurred in association with the play of the gamebecause: (a) the sum of awards (1,000 credits) associated with anywinning combinations of symbols displayed from right to left along anywagered-on paylines (the P7-P7-P7-A7 winning symbol combination) isgreater than the sum of awards (0 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines (no winning symbol combinations); and (b) the reels205 a and 205 b do not have the pirate theme.

As noted above, upon an occurrence of the second reel set modificationevent in this example embodiment, the gaming system modifies the set ofreels by removing the reel that is adjacent to the leftmost reel havingthe pirate theme and replacing it with another reel that has the piratetheme. Thus, the modified set of reels includes one more reel having thepirate theme than it did before being modified. The gaming systemdisplays the following message in the message box 260: “YOU WIN 1,000CREDITS FOR THE P7-P7-P7-A7 WINNING SYMBOL COMBINATION DISPLAYED FROMRIGHT TO LEFT ALONG THE MIDDLE PAYLINE! PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REELADJACENT TO THE LEFTMOST PIRATE REEL IS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PIRATEREEL!”

As illustrated in FIG. 2H, in this instance the leftmost reel that hasthe pirate theme is the reel 205 f, and the reel that is adjacent to thereel 205 f is the reel 205 b (which has the alien theme). Accordingly,the gaming system removes the reel 205 b. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 260: “THE ALIEN REEL IS REMOVED . .. ” As illustrated in FIG. 2I, the gaming system replaces the removedreel 205 b with reel 205 g, which has the pirate theme, such that thereel 205 g is associated with and configured to display symbols at thesymbol display areas 210 b, 210 g, and 210 l. The gaming system displaysthe following message in the message box 260: “ . . . AND A PIRATE REELIS ADDED IN ITS PLACE! CONVERT ALL OF THE REELS INTO PIRATE REELS TOTRIGGER THE PIRATE BONUS, OR CONVERT ALL OF THE REELS INTO ALIEN REELSTO TRIGGER THE ALIEN BONUS!”

It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, neither reel setmodification event occurs and the gaming system does not replace anyreels of the set when the sum of any awards associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines is equal to the sum of any awards associated withany winning combinations of symbols displayed from right to left alongany wagered-on paylines. For instance, if the sum of the awardsassociated with the winning symbol combinations displayed from left toright along the wagered-on paylines is 250 credits and the sum of theawards associated with the winning symbol combinations displayed fromright to left along the wagered-on paylines is 250 credits, the gamingsystem does not replace any reels of the set.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system displays a designatedanimation when the sum of any awards associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines is equal to the sum of any awards associated withany winning combinations of symbols displayed from right to left alongany wagered-on paylines.

In other embodiments, the gaming system determines that the first reelset modification event occurs in association with a play of the gamewhen: (i) a quantity of winning combinations of symbols (if any)displayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines is greaterthan a quantity of winning combinations of symbols (if any) displayedfrom right to left along any wagered-on paylines, and (ii) at least oneof the reels of the set is not associated with the alien theme.Additionally, in these embodiments, the gaming system determines thatthe second reel set modification event occurs in association with a playof the game when: (i) a quantity of winning combinations of symbols (ifany) displayed from right to left along any wagered-on paylines isgreater than a quantity of winning combinations of symbols (if any)displayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines, and (ii) atleast one of the reels of the set is not associated with the piratetheme.

In various embodiments, the gaming system employs a single reelmodification event. In these embodiments, upon an occurrence of thesingle reel modification event, the gaming system determines whether to:(a) replace a reel having the neutral theme or the pirate theme with areel having the alien theme, or (b) replace a reel having the neutraltheme or the alien theme with a reel having the pirate theme. It shouldbe appreciated that the gaming system may determine which of (a) and (b)to provide in any suitable manner, such as randomly.

In another embodiment, instead of removing a reel having acharacteristic other than the first characteristic and replacing thatreel with a reel having the first characteristic upon the occurrence ofthe first reel set modification event, the gaming system changes thecharacteristic of one of the reels (and any of the symbols on that reel)having a characteristic other than first characteristic to the firstcharacteristic (e.g., the gaming system changes a reel having the piratetheme into a reel having the alien theme). Put differently, the gamingsystem maintains the symbols associated with that reel and changes thecharacteristic with which that reel and those symbols are associated tothe first characteristic. Similarly, in this embodiment, instead ofremoving a reel having a characteristic other than the secondcharacteristic and replacing that reel with a reel having the secondcharacteristic upon the occurrence of the second reel set modificationevent, the gaming system changes the characteristic of one of the reels(and any of the symbols on that reel) having a characteristic other thansecond characteristic to the second characteristic (e.g., the gamingsystem changes a reel having the alien theme into a reel having thepirate theme). Put differently, the gaming system maintains the symbolsassociated with that reel and changes the characteristic with which thatreel and those symbols are associated to the second characteristic.

Battling Symbol Generators Game with Symbol Generator Removal,Repositioning, and Addition

In various embodiments, the symbol generators are reels. In certain suchembodiments, as noted above, if the gaming system determines that thefirst reel set modification event occurs in association with a play ofthe game, the gaming system modifies the set of reels such that a thirdquantity of the reels of the set are each associated with the firstcharacteristic, wherein the third quantity is greater than the firstquantity. In certain embodiments, the gaming system does so by: (a)removing at least one of the reels that is not associated with the firstcharacteristic from the set, (b) repositioning at least one of the reelsin the set, and (c) adding at least one reel that is associated with thefirst characteristic to the set.

As also noted above, in various embodiments, if the gaming systemdetermines that the second reel set modification event occurs inassociation with a play of the game, the gaming system modifies the setof reels such that a fourth quantity of the reels of the set are eachassociated with the second characteristic, wherein the fourth quantityis greater than the second quantity. In certain embodiments, the gamingsystem does so by: (a) removing at least one of the reels that is notassociated with the second characteristic from the set, (b)repositioning at least one of the reels in the set, and (c) adding atleast one reel that is associated with the second characteristic to theset.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, and 3I illustrate screen shots ofone example embodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosureproviding a plurality of plays of another example embodiment of thebattling reels game of the present disclosure. The battling reels gameis a primary wagering game in this example embodiment. The gaming systemdisplays a plurality of symbol display areas 310 a, 310 b, 310 c, 310 d,310 e, 310 f, 310 g, 310 h, 310 i, 310 j, 310 k, 310 l, 310 m, 310 n,and 310 o arranged in a 3×5 grid or matrix. The gaming system displays aplurality of paylines, each of which is associated with a differentplurality of the symbol display areas. In this example embodiment: (a)payline 315 a is associated with symbol display areas 310 a, 310 b, 310c, 310 d, and 310 e; (b) payline 315 b is associated with symbol displayareas 310 f, 310 g, 310 h, 310 i, and 310 j; and (c) payline 315 c isassociated with symbol display areas 310 k, 310 l, 310 m, 310 n, and 310o.

The gaming system also displays: (a) a message box 360 (describedabove); (b) a plurality of meters including: (i) a credit meter 370(described above), (ii) a wager or bet meter 380 (described above), and(iii) an award meter 390 (described above); and (c) a Spin button 394(described above).

In this example embodiment, the game is associated with a plurality ofsymbols and a plurality of reels (i.e., symbol generators in thisexample embodiment). Here: (a) each of the plurality of reels isassociated with two or more of the plurality of symbols; (b) each reelis associated with or has one of a plurality of different themes (i.e.,characteristics in this example embodiment) and includes a backgroundassociated with that theme; and (c) at least three of the reels areassociated with different themes. In this example embodiment, the themes(and their associated backgrounds) include: (a) a first alien theme(associated with a hatched background), (b) a second pirate theme(associated with a dotted background), and (c) a third neutral theme(associated with a blank background). Additionally, in this exampleembodiment, for each reel, one or more of the symbols associated withthat reel also have the theme of that reel. For instance, one or more ofthe symbols associated with a reel having the alien theme also have thealien theme.

In this example embodiment, for each play of the game, the gaming systememploys a set of the plurality of reels including two or more of, butfewer than all of, the plurality of reels. Here, the gaming systeminitially employs an initial set of the reels including reels 305 a, 305b, 305 c, 305 d, and 305 e for the game. The gaming system displays thereels 305 a, 305 b, 305 c, 305 d, and 305 e from left to right inassociation with the plurality of symbol display areas such that eachreel is configured to display symbols at one or more of the symboldisplay areas. More specifically, the gaming system displays: (a) thereel 305 a in association with the symbol display areas 310 a, 310 f,and 310 k; (b) the reel 305 b in association with the symbol displayareas, 310 b, 310 g, and 310 l; (c) the reel 305 c in association withthe symbol display areas 310 c, 310 h, and 310 m; (d) the reel 305 d inassociation with the symbol display areas 310 d, 310 i, and 310 n; and(e) the reel 305 e in association with the symbol display areas 310 e,310 j, and 310 o.

In this example embodiment, the gaming system determines any awardsassociated with a play of the game based on the symbols displayed at thesymbol display areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinationsof the symbols included in a paytable (not shown) associated with thegame are displayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines, and(b) whether any winning combinations of the symbols are displayed fromright to left along any wagered-on paylines.

In this example embodiment, with respect to the initial set of reels:(a) the leftmost reels 305 a and 305 b of the set each have the alientheme and, therefore, each display the hatched background associatedwith the alien theme; (b) the middle reel 305 c of the set has theneutral theme and, therefore, displays the blank background associatedwith the neutral theme; and (c) the rightmost reels 305 d and 305 e ofthe set each have the pirate theme and, therefore, each display thedotted background associated with the pirate theme. During game play,the gaming system: (a) removes one or more reels having the neutral orpirate themes, repositions one or more reels having the alien theme, andadds one or more reels having the alien theme upon an occurrence of afirst reel set modification event; and (b) removes one or more reelshaving the neutral or alien themes, repositions one or more reels havingthe pirate theme, and adds one or more reels having the pirate themeupon an occurrence of a second different reel set modification event.

More specifically, in this example embodiment, the gaming systemdetermines that the first reel set modification event occurs inassociation with a play of the game when: (a) a sum of any awardsassociated with any winning combinations of symbols displayed from leftto right along any wagered-on paylines is greater than a sum of anyawards associated with any winning combinations of symbols displayedfrom right to left along any wagered-on paylines, and (b) at least oneof the reels of the set does not have the alien theme. The gaming systemdetermines that the second reel set modification event occurs inassociation with a play of the game when: (a) a sum of any awardsassociated with any winning combinations of symbols displayed from rightto left along any wagered-on paylines is greater than a sum of anyawards associated with any winning combinations of symbols displayedfrom left to right along any wagered-on paylines, and (b) at least oneof the reels of the set does not have with the pirate theme.

In this example embodiment, upon an occurrence of the first reel setmodification event, the gaming system modifies the set of reels by: (a)removing the reel that is adjacent to the rightmost reel having thealien theme, (b) shifting the reels having the alien theme from left toright, and (c) adding another reel that has the alien theme such thatthe modified set of reels includes one more reel having the alien themethan it did before being modified. Similarly, upon an occurrence of thesecond reel set modification event, the gaming system modifies the setof reels by: (a) removing the reel that is adjacent to the leftmost reelhaving the pirate theme, (b) shifting the reels having the pirate themefrom right to left, and (c) adding another reel that has the piratetheme such that the modified set of reels includes one more reel havingthe pirate theme than it did before being modified.

The gaming system is configured to provide a plurality of differentbonuses in this example embodiment. Specifically, the gaming system isconfigured to provide an alien-themed bonus and a pirate-themed bonus.Here, the gaming system provides the alien-themed bonus upon anoccurrence of an alien bonus triggering event, which occurs when thegaming system modifies the set of reels such that each of the reels inthe set of reels has the alien theme. The gaming system provides thepirate-themed bonus upon an occurrence of a pirate bonus triggeringevent, which occurs when the gaming system modifies the set of reelssuch that each of the reels in the set of reels has the pirate theme.

In this example embodiment, after providing the alien bonus upon anoccurrence of the alien bonus triggering event or the pirate bonus uponthe occurrence of the pirate bonus triggering event, the gaming systemresets the set of reels to the initial set of reels.

In this example embodiment, the gaming system performs an additionalaward evaluation after modifying the set of reels upon the occurrence ofthe first reel set modification event or the second reel setmodification event.

Turning to FIG. 3A, the gaming system receives a wager of 100 credits(as shown in the bet meter 380) and an actuation of the Spin button 394from the player. Accordingly, the gaming system initiates a play of thegame and spins the reels 305 a, 305 b, 305 c, 305 d, and 305 e. Thegaming system displays the following message in the message box 360:“YOU BET 100 CREDITS . . . GOOD LUCK!” As illustrated in FIG. 3B, thegaming system reduces the player's credit balance by the 100 creditwager (as shown in the credit meter 370) and displays the reels 305 a,305 b, 305 c, 305 d, and 305 e spinning. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 360: “PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REELSSPIN . . . ”

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the gaming system stops the reels 305 a, 305b, 305 c, 305 d, and 305 e such that: (a) A4 symbol 320 a is displayedat the symbol display area 310 a, (b) A2 symbol 320 b is displayed atthe symbol display area 310 b, (c) N1 symbol 320 c is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 c, (d) P1 symbol 320 d is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 d, (e) P1 symbol 320 e is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 e, (f) A5 symbol 320 f is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 f, (g) A1 symbol 320 g is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 g, (h) N2 symbol 320 h is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 h, (i) P4 symbol 320 i is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 i, (j) P4 symbol 320 j is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 j, (k) A2 symbol 320 k is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 k, (l) A2 symbol 320 l is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 l, (m) N3 symbol 320 m is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 m, (n) P2 symbol 320 n is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 n, and (o) P2 symbol 320 o is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 o.

As noted above, the gaming system determines any awards associated withthe play of the game based on the symbols displayed at the symboldisplay areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinations of thesymbols included in the paytable associated with the game are displayedfrom left to right along any of the paylines, and (b) whether anywinning combinations of the symbols are displayed from right to leftalong any of the paylines. Here, the gaming system determines that thesymbols P1 320 e, P1 320 d, and N1 320 c displayed from right to leftalong the payline 315 a form one of the winning symbol combinations. Thegaming system determines an award of 100 credits associated with thedisplayed P1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination, displays the 100 creditaward in the award meter 390, and updates the player's credit balance toreflect the 100 credit award.

The gaming system determines whether the first reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the play of the game, as describedabove. Here, the gaming system determines that the first reel setmodification event did not occur in association with the play of thegame because the sum of awards (0 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines (no winning symbol combinations) is not greater thanthe sum of awards (100 credits) associated with any winning combinationsof symbols displayed from right to left along any wagered-on paylines(the P1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination).

The gaming system determines whether the second reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the play of the game, as describedabove. Here, the gaming system determines that the second reel setmodification event occurred in association with the play of the gamebecause: (a) the sum of awards (100 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from right to left along anywagered-on paylines (the P1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination) is greaterthan the sum of awards (0 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines (no winning symbol combinations); and (b) the reels305 a, 305 b, and 305 c are not associated with the pirate theme.

As noted above, upon an occurrence of the second reel set modificationevent in this example embodiment, the gaming system modifies the set ofreels by: (a) removing the reel that is adjacent to the leftmost reelhaving the pirate theme, (b) shifting the reels having the pirate themefrom right to left, and (c) adding another reel that has the piratetheme. Thus, the modified set of reels includes one more reel having thepirate theme than it did before being modified. The gaming systemdisplays the following message in the message box 360: “YOU WIN 100CREDITS FOR THE P1-P1-N1 WINNING SYMBOL COMBINATION DISPLAYED FROM RIGHTTO LEFT ALONG THE TOP PAYLINE! PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REEL ADJACENT TOTHE LEFTMOST PIRATE REEL IS REMOVED, THE PIRATE REELS ARE SHIFTED FROMRIGHT TO LEFT, AND ANOTHER PIRATE REEL IS ADDED!”

As illustrated in FIG. 3D, in this instance the leftmost reel that isassociated with the pirate theme is the reel 305 d, and the reel that isadjacent to the reel 305 d is the reel 305 c (which is associated withthe neutral theme). Accordingly, the gaming system removes the reel 305c. The gaming system displays the following message in the message box360: “THE NEUTRAL REEL IS REMOVED . . . ” As illustrated in FIG. 3E, thegaming system repositions the reels 305 d and 305 e, which areassociated with the pirate theme, by shifting those reels from right toleft such that: (a) the reel 305 d is associated with and configured todisplay symbols at the symbol display areas 310 c, 310 h, and 310 m; and(b) the reel 305 e is associated with and configured to display symbolsat the symbol display areas 310 d, 310 i, and 310 n. After repositioningthe reels 305 c and 305 d, the P1 symbol 320 d is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 c, the P1 symbol 320 e is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 d, the P4 symbol 320 i is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 h, the P4 symbol 320 j is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 i, the P2 symbol 320 n is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 n, and the P2 symbol 320 o is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 n. The gaming system displays the followingmessage in the message box 360: “ . . . THE PIRATE REELS ARE SHIFTEDFROM RIGHT TO LEFT . . . ”

As illustrated in FIG. 3F, the gaming system adds reel 305 f, which isassociated with the pirate theme, to the set such that the reel 305 f isassociated with and configured to display symbols at the symbol displayareas 310 e, 310 j, and 310 o. Specifically, the gaming system adds thereel 305 f to the set such that P3 symbol 321 e is displayed at thesymbol display area 310 e, P4 symbol 321 j is displayed at the symboldisplay area 310 j, and P7 symbol 3210 is displayed at the symboldisplay area 310 o. In this example embodiment, the gaming system makesanother award determination after modifying the set of reels.

As noted above, the gaming system determines any awards associated withthe play of the game based on the symbols displayed at the symboldisplay areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinations of thesymbols included in the paytable associated with the game are displayedfrom left to right along any of the paylines, and (b) whether anywinning combinations of the symbols are displayed from right to leftalong any of the paylines. Here, the gaming system determines that: (a)the symbols P4 321 j, P4 320 j, and P4 310 i displayed from right toleft along the payline 315 b form one of the winning symbolcombinations; and (b) the symbols A2 320 k, A2 320 l, P2 320 n, and P2320 o displayed from left to right along the payline 315 c form one ofthe winning symbol combinations. The gaming system determines an awardof 150 credits associated with the displayed P4-P4-P4 winning symbolcombination and an award of 800 credits associated with the displayedA2-A2-P2-P2 winning symbol combination, displays the total award of 950credits in the award meter 390, and updates the player's credit balanceto reflect the total award of 950 credits.

The gaming system determines whether the first reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the play of the game, as describedabove. Here, the gaming system determines that the first reel setmodification event occurred in association with the play of the gamebecause: (a) the sum of awards (800 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines (the A2-A2-P2-P2 winning symbol combination) isgreater than the sum of awards (150 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from right to left along anywagered-on paylines (the P4-P4-P4 winning symbol combination); and (b)the reels 305 d, 305 e, and 305 f are not associated with the alientheme.

The gaming system determines whether the second reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the play of the game, as describedabove. Here, the gaming system determines that the second reel setmodification event did not occur in association with the play of thegame because the sum of awards (150 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from right to left along anywagered-on paylines (the P4-P4-P4 winning symbol combination) is notgreater than the sum of awards (800 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines (the A2-A2-P2-P2 winning symbol combination).

As noted above, upon an occurrence of the first reel set modificationevent in this example embodiment, the gaming system modifies the set ofreels by: (a) removing the reel that is adjacent to the rightmost reelhaving the alien theme, (b) shifting the reels having the alien themefrom left to right, and (c) adding another reel that has the alientheme. Thus, the modified set of reels includes one more reel having thealien theme than it did before being modified. The gaming systemdisplays the following message in the message box 360: “ . . . AND APIRATE REEL IS ADDED! YOU WIN 150 CREDITS FOR THE P4-P4-P4 WINNINGSYMBOL COMBINATION DISPLAYED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT ALONG THE MIDDLE PAYLINEAND 800 CREDITS FOR THE A2-A2-P2-P2 WINNING SYMBOL COMBINATION DISPLAYEDFROM LEFT TO RIGHT ALONG THE BOTTOM PAYLINE! THE A2-A2-P2-P2 WINNINGSYMBOL COMBINATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LARGER AWARD, SO PLEASE WAITTHE REEL ADJACENT TO THE RIGHTMOST ALIEN REEL IS REMOVED, THE ALIENREELS ARE SHIFTED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, AND ANOTHER ALIEN REEL IS ADDED!”

As illustrated in FIG. 3G, in this instance the rightmost reel that hasthe alien theme is the reel 305 b, and the reel that is adjacent to thereel 305 b is the reel 305 d (which has the pirate theme). Accordingly,the gaming system removes the reel 305 d. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 360: “THE PIRATE REEL IS REMOVED .. . ” As illustrated in FIG. 3H, the gaming system repositions the reels305 a and 305 b, which have the alien theme, by shifting those reelsfrom left to right such that: (a) the reel 305 a is associated with andconfigured to display symbols at the symbol display areas 310 b, 310 g,and 310 l; and (b) the reel 305 b is associated with and configured todisplay symbols at the symbol display areas 310 c, 310 h, and 310 m.After repositioning the reels 305 a and 305 b, the A4 symbol 320 a isdisplayed at the symbol display area 310 b, the A2 symbol 320 b isdisplayed at the symbol display area 310 c, the A5 symbol 320 f isdisplayed at the symbol display area 310 g, the A1 symbol 320 g isdisplayed at the symbol display area 310 h, the A2 symbol 320 k isdisplayed at the symbol display area 310 l, and the A2 symbol 320 l isdisplayed at the symbol display area 310 m. The gaming system displaysthe following message in the message box 360: “ . . . THE ALIEN REELSARE SHIFTED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT . . . ”

As illustrated in FIG. 3I, the gaming system adds reel 305 g, which hasthe alien theme, to the set such that the reel 305 g is associated withand configured to display symbols at the symbol display areas 310 a, 310f, and 310 k. Specifically, the gaming system adds the reel 305 g to theset such that A1 symbol 322 a is displayed at the symbol display area310 a, A7 symbol 322 f is displayed at the symbol display area 310 f,and A3 symbol 322 k is displayed at the symbol display area 310 k. Inthis example embodiment, the gaming system makes another awarddetermination after modifying the set of reels.

The gaming system determines any awards associated with the play of thegame based on the symbols displayed at the symbol display areas bydetermining (a) whether any winning combinations of the symbols includedin the paytable associated with the game are displayed from left toright along any of the paylines, and (b) whether any winningcombinations of the symbols are displayed from right to left along anyof the paylines. Here, the gaming system determines that none of thewinning symbol combinations are displayed along any of the paylines. Thegaming system displays the following message in the message box 360: “ .. . AND AN ALIEN REEL IS ADDED! NO ADDITIONAL WINNING SYMBOLCOMBINATIONS ARE DISPLAYED.”

It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, neither reel setmodification event occurs and the gaming system does not remove anyreels from the set, reposition any reels of the set, or add any reels tothe set when the sum of any awards associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines is equal to the sum of any awards associated withany winning combinations of symbols displayed from right to left alongany wagered-on paylines.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system displays a designatedanimation when the sum of any awards associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines is equal to the sum of any awards associated withany winning combinations of symbols displayed from right to left alongany wagered-on paylines.

In other embodiments, the gaming system determines that the first reelset modification event occurs in association with a play of the gamewhen: (i) a quantity of winning combinations of symbols (if any)displayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines is greaterthan a quantity of winning combinations of symbols (if any) displayedfrom right to left along any wagered-on paylines, and (ii) at least oneof the reels of the set is not associated with the alien theme.Additionally, in these embodiments, the gaming system determines thatthe second reel set modification event occurs in association with a playof the game when: (i) a quantity of winning combinations of symbols (ifany) displayed from right to left along any wagered-on paylines isgreater than a quantity of winning combinations of symbols (if any)displayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines, and (ii) atleast one of the reels of the set is not associated with the piratetheme.

Battling Symbol Generators Game with Symbol Generator Replacement Duringa Designated Period

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, and 4I illustrate screen shots ofone example embodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosureproviding a plurality of plays of another example embodiment of thebattling symbol generators game of the present disclosure. The battlingsymbol generators game is a primary wagering game in this exampleembodiment. The gaming system displays a plurality of symbol displayareas 410 a, 410 b, 410 c, 410 d, 410 e, 410 f, 410 g, 410 h, 410 i, 410j, 410 k, 410 l, 410 m, 410 n, and 410 o arranged in a 3×5 grid ormatrix. The gaming system displays a plurality of paylines, each ofwhich is associated with a different plurality of the symbol displayareas. In this example embodiment: (a) payline 415 a is associated withsymbol display areas 410 a, 410 b, 410 c, 410 d, and 410 e; (b) payline415 b is associated with symbol display areas 410 f, 410 g, 410 h, 410i, and 410 j; and (c) payline 415 c is associated with symbol displayareas 410 k, 410 l, 410 m, 410 n, and 410 o.

The gaming system also displays: (a) a message box 460 (describedabove); (b) a plurality of meters including: (i) a credit meter 470(described above), (ii) a wager or bet meter 480 (described above), and(iii) an award meter 490 (described above); and (c) a Spin button 494(described above).

In this example embodiment, the game is associated with a plurality ofsymbols and a plurality of reels (i.e., symbol generators in thisexample embodiment). Here: (a) each of the plurality of reels isassociated with two or more of the plurality of symbols; (b) each reelis associated with or has one of a plurality of different themes (i.e.,characteristics in this example embodiment) and includes a backgroundassociated with that theme; and (c) at least three of the reels areassociated with different themes. In this example embodiment, the themes(and their associated backgrounds) include: (a) a first alien theme(associated with a hatched background), (b) a second pirate theme(associated with a dotted background), and (c) a third neutral theme(associated with a blank background). Additionally, in this exampleembodiment, for each reel, one or more of the symbols associated withthat reel also have the theme of that reel. For instance, one or more ofthe symbols on a reel having the alien theme also have the alien theme.

In this example embodiment, for each play of the game, the gaming systememploys a set of the plurality of reels including two or more of, butfewer than all of, the plurality of reels. Here, the gaming systeminitially selects and employs an initial set of the reels includingreels 405 a, 405 b, 405 c, 405 d, and 405 e for the game. The gamingsystem displays the reels 405 a, 405 b, 405 c, 405 d, and 405 e fromleft to right in association with the plurality of symbol display areassuch that each reel is configured to display symbols at one or more ofthe symbol display areas. More specifically, the gaming system displays:(a) the reel 405 a in association with the symbol display areas 410 a,410 f, and 410 k; (b) the reel 405 b in association with the symboldisplay areas, 410 b, 410 g, and 410 l; (c) the reel 405 c inassociation with the symbol display areas 410 c, 410 h, and 410 m; (d)the reel 405 d in association with the symbol display areas 410 d, 410i, and 410 n; and (e) the reel 405 e in association with the symboldisplay areas 410 e, 410 j, and 410 o.

In this example embodiment, the gaming system determines any awardsassociated with a play of the game based on the symbols displayed at thesymbol display areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinationsof the symbols included in a paytable (not shown) associated with thegame are displayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines, and(b) whether any winning combinations of the symbols are displayed fromright to left along any wagered-on paylines.

In this example embodiment, with respect to the initial set of reels:(a) the leftmost reels 405 a and 405 b of the initial set each have thealien theme and, therefore, each display the hatched backgroundassociated with the alien theme; (b) the middle reel 405 c of theinitial set has the neutral theme and, therefore, displays the blankbackground associated with the neutral theme; and (c) the rightmostreels 405 d and 405 e of the initial set each have the pirate theme and,therefore, each display the dotted background associated with the piratetheme.

In this example embodiment, the gaming system enables the set of reelsto be modified during a designated period. The gaming system initiatesthe designated period upon an occurrence of either an alien timeractivation event or a pirate timer activation event. More specifically,when the alien timer initiation event occurs, the gaming systeminitiates the designated period and enables the set of reels to bemodified during the designated period to include more reels associatedwith the alien theme. When the pirate timer initiation event occurs, thegaming system initiates the designated period and enables the set ofreels to be modified during the designated period to include more reelsassociated with the pirate theme.

In this example embodiment, the alien timer initiation event occurswhen: (a) neither the alien timer nor the pirate timer is alreadyactive, and (b) a first reel set modification event occurs. In thisexample embodiment, the first reel set modification event occurs when asum of any awards associated with any winning combinations of symbolsdisplayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines is greaterthan a sum of any awards associated with any winning combinations ofsymbols displayed from right to left along any wagered-on paylines. Whenthe alien timer initiation event occurs, the gaming system: (a) modifiesthe set of reels by removing the reel that is adjacent to the rightmostreel associated with the alien theme and replacing it with another reelthat is associated with the alien theme such that the modified set ofreels includes one more reel associated with the alien theme than it didbefore being modified, and (b) activates an alien timer associated withthe designated period.

In this example embodiment, the pirate timer initiation event occurswhen: (a) neither the alien timer nor the pirate timer is alreadyactive, and (b) a second reel set modification event occurs. In thisexample embodiment, the second reel set modification event occurs when asum of any awards associated with any winning combinations of symbolsdisplayed from right to left along any wagered-on paylines is greaterthan a sum of any awards associated with any winning combinations ofsymbols displayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines. Whenthe pirate timer initiation event occurs, the gaming system: (a)modifies the set of reels by removing the reel that is adjacent to theleftmost reel associated with the pirate theme and replacing it withanother reel that is associated with the pirate theme such that themodified set of reels includes one more reel associated with the piratetheme than it did before being modified, and (b) activates a piratetimer associated with the designated period.

In this example embodiment, while the alien timer is active, the gamingsystem disables the second reel set modification event. In other words,when the alien timer is active for a play of the game, the gaming systemdoes not determine whether the second reel set modification eventoccurred for that play of the game. Additionally, while the pirate timeris active, the gaming system disables the first reel set modificationevent. In other words, when the pirate timer is active for a play of thegame, the gaming system does not determine whether the first reel setmodification event occurred for that play of the game. It should thus beappreciated that, in this example embodiment: (a) while the alien timeris active, the gaming system enables the reel set to be modified byreplacing one or more reels associated with the neutral theme or thepirate theme with one or more reels associated with the alien theme anddoes not enable the reel set to be modified by replacing any reelsassociated with the neutral theme or the alien theme with any reelsassociated with the pirate theme, and (b) while the pirate timer isactive, the gaming system enables the reel set to be modified byreplacing one or more reels associated with the neutral theme or thealien theme with one or more reels associated with the pirate theme anddoes not enable the reel set to be modified by replacing any reelsassociated with the neutral theme or the pirate theme with any reelsassociated with the alien theme.

The gaming system is configured to provide a plurality of differentbonuses in this example embodiment. Specifically, the gaming system isconfigured to provide an alien-themed bonus and a pirate-themed bonus.Here, the gaming system provides the alien-themed bonus upon anoccurrence of an alien bonus triggering event, which occurs when thegaming system modifies the set of reels such that each of the reels inthe set of reels has the alien theme. The gaming system provides thepirate-themed bonus upon an occurrence of a pirate bonus triggeringevent, which occurs when the gaming system modifies the set of reelssuch that each of the reels in the set of reels has the pirate theme.

In this example embodiment, when the designated period expires, thegaming system deactivates whichever timer is active and resets the setof reels to the initial set of reels. Further, in this exampleembodiment, after providing the alien bonus upon an occurrence of thealien bonus triggering event or the pirate bonus upon an occurrence ofthe pirate bonus triggering event, the gaming system resets the set ofreels to the initial set of reels.

Additionally, in this example embodiment, the gaming system increasesthe designated period (such as by adding an amount of time or a quantityof plays to the designated period) when a timer increase event occurs.In this example embodiment, when the alien timer is active, the timerincrease event occurs when the first reel set modification event occurs.Similarly, when the pirate timer is active, the timer increase eventoccurs when the second reel set modification event occurs. It should beappreciated that, in other embodiments, the gaming system does notincrease the designated period after initiating the designated period.

Turning to FIG. 4A, the gaming system receives a wager of 100 credits(as shown in the bet meter 480) and an actuation of the Spin button 494from the player. Accordingly, the gaming system initiates a play of thegame and spins the reels 405 a, 405 b, 405 c, 405 d, and 405 e. Thegaming system displays the following message in the message box 460:“YOU BET 100 CREDITS . . . GOOD LUCK!” As illustrated in FIG. 4B, thegaming system reduces the player's credit balance by the 100 creditwager (as shown in the credit meter 470) and displays the reels 405 a,405 b, 405 c, 405 d, and 405 e spinning. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 460: “PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REELSSPIN . . . ”

As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the gaming system stops the reels 405 a, 405b, 405 c, 405 d, and 405 e such that: (a) A4 symbol 420 a is displayedat the symbol display area 410 a, (b) A2 symbol 420 b is displayed atthe symbol display area 410 b, (c) N1 symbol 420 c is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 c, (d) P1 symbol 420 d is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 d, (e) P1 symbol 420 e is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 e, (f) A5 symbol 420 f is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 f, (g) A3 symbol 420 g is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 g, (h) N2 symbol 420 h is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 h, (i) P4 symbol 420 i is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 i, (j) P3 symbol 420 j is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 j, (k) A6 symbol 420 k is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 k, (l) A1 symbol 420 l is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 l, (m) N2 symbol 420 m is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 m, (n) P1 symbol 420 n is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 n, and (o) P2 symbol 420 o is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 o.

As noted above, the gaming system determines any awards associated withthe play of the game based on the symbols displayed at the symboldisplay areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinations of thesymbols included in the paytable associated with the game are displayedfrom left to right along any of the paylines, and (b) whether anywinning combinations of the symbols are displayed from right to leftalong any of the paylines. Here, the gaming system determines that thesymbols P1 420 e, P1 420 d, and N1 420 c displayed from right to leftalong the payline 415 a form one of the winning symbol combinations. Thegaming system determines an award of 100 credits associated with thedisplayed P1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination, displays the 100 creditaward in the award meter 490, and updates the player's credit balance toreflect the 100 credit award.

The gaming system determines whether the alien timer initiation event orthe pirate timer initiation event occurred, as described above. Here,the gaming system determines that the pirate timer initiation eventoccurred because: (a) neither the alien timer nor the pirate timer isalready active, and (b) the second reel set modification event occurred(i.e., the sum of awards (100 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from right to left along anywagered-on paylines (the P1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination) is greaterthan the sum of awards (0 credits) associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from left to right along anywagered-on paylines (no winning symbol combinations)).

As noted above, upon an occurrence of the pirate timer initiation eventin this example embodiment, the gaming system: (a) modifies the set ofreels by removing the reel that is adjacent to the leftmost reel havingthe pirate theme and replacing it with another reel that has the piratetheme, and (b) activates a pirate timer associated with a designatedperiod of one minute. The gaming system displays the following messagein the message box 460: “YOU WIN 100 CREDITS FOR THE P1-P1-N1 WINNINGSYMBOL COMBINATION DISPLAYED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT ALONG THE TOP PAYLINE!PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REEL ADJACENT TO THE LEFTMOST PIRATE REEL ISREPLACED WITH ANOTHER PIRATE REEL AND THE TIMER IS ACTIVATED!”

As illustrated in FIG. 4D, in this instance the leftmost reel that hasthe pirate theme is the reel 405 d, and the reel that is adjacent to thereel 405 d is the reel 405 c (which has the neutral theme). Accordingly,the gaming system removes the reel 405 c. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 460: “THE NEUTRAL REEL IS REMOVED .. . ” As illustrated in FIG. 4E, the gaming system replaces the removedreel 405 c with reel 405 f, which has the pirate theme, such that thereel 405 f is associated with and configured to display symbols at thesymbol display areas 410 c, 410 h, and 410 m. The gaming system alsodisplays the pirate timer 450. The gaming system displays the followingmessage in the message box 460: “ . . . AND A PIRATE REEL IS ADDED INITS PLACE! CONVERT ALL OF THE REELS INTO PIRATE REELS BEFORE THE TIMEREXPIRES TO TRIGGER THE PIRATE BONUS! IF THE TIMER EXPIRES, THE REELSCONVERT BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL STATES! CERTAIN WINNING SYMBOLCOMBINATIONS INCREASE THE TIMER!”

As also illustrated in FIG. 4E, the gaming system receives anotheractuation of the Spin button 494 from the player. Accordingly, thegaming system initiates another play of the game and spins the reels 405a, 405 b, 405 c, 405 d, and 405 e. As illustrated in FIG. 4F, the gamingsystem reduces the player's credit balance by the 100 credit wager (asshown in the credit meter 470) and displays the reels 405 a, 405 b, 405c, 405 d, and 405 e spinning. At this point, fifty-seven seconds of thedesignated period remain. The gaming system displays the followingmessage in the message box 460: “PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REELS SPIN . . .”

As illustrated in FIG. 4G, the gaming system stops the reels 405 a, 405b, 405 c, 405 d, and 405 e such that: (a) A7 symbol 421 a is displayedat the symbol display area 410 a, (b) A1 symbol 421 b is displayed atthe symbol display area 410 b, (c) P1 symbol 421 c is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 c, (d) P1 symbol 421 d is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 d, (e) P4 symbol 421 e is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 e, (f) A8 symbol 421 f is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 f, (g) A7 symbol 421 g is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 g, (h) P7 symbol 421 h is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 h, (i) P7 symbol 421 i is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 i, (j) P7 symbol 421 j is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 j, (k) A6 symbol 421 k is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 k, (l) A2 symbol 421 l is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 l, (m) P2 symbol 421 m is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 m, (n) P3 symbol 421 n is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 n, and (o) P3 symbol 4210 is displayed at thesymbol display area 410 o.

As noted above, the gaming system determines any awards associated withthe play of the game based on the symbols displayed at the symboldisplay areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinations of thesymbols included in the paytable associated with the game are displayedfrom left to right along any of the paylines, and (b) whether anywinning combinations of the symbols are displayed from right to leftalong any of the paylines. Here, the gaming system determines that thesymbols P7 421 j, P7 421 i, P7 421 h, and A7 421 g displayed from rightto left along the payline 415 b form one of the winning symbolcombinations. The gaming system determines an award of 1,000 creditsassociated with the displayed P7-P7-P7-A7 winning symbol combination,displays the 1,000 credit award in the award meter 490, and updates theplayer's credit balance to reflect the 1,000 credit award.

The gaming system determines that neither the alien timer activationevent nor the pirate timer activation event occurs because the piratetimer is already active. Additionally, because the pirate timer isalready active, the gaming system does not determine whether the firstreel set modification event occurred in association with the play of thegame.

Because the pirate timer is active, the gaming system determines whetherthe second reel set modification event occurred in association with theplay of the game, as described above. Here, the gaming system determinesthat the second reel set modification event occurred in association withthe play of the game because the sum of awards (1,000 credits)associated with any winning combinations of symbols displayed from rightto left along any wagered-on paylines (the P7-P7-P7-A7 winning symbolcombination) is greater than the sum of awards (0 credits) associatedwith any winning combinations of symbols displayed from left to rightalong any wagered-on paylines (no winning symbol combinations).

As noted above, upon an occurrence of the second reel set modificationevent in this example embodiment, the gaming system modifies the set ofreels by removing the reel that is adjacent to the leftmost reel havingthe pirate theme and replacing it with another reel that has the piratetheme. Thus, the modified set of reels includes one more reel having thepirate theme than it did before being modified. At this point,fifty-three seconds of the designated period remain. The gaming systemdisplays the following message in the message box 460: “YOU WIN 1,000CREDITS FOR THE P7-P7-P7-A7 WINNING SYMBOL COMBINATION DISPLAYED FROMRIGHT TO LEFT ALONG THE MIDDLE PAYLINE! PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REELADJACENT TO THE LEFTMOST PIRATE REEL IS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PIRATEREEL!”

As illustrated in FIG. 4H, in this instance the leftmost reel that hasthe pirate theme is the reel 405 f, and the reel that is adjacent to thereel 405 f is the reel 405 b (which has the alien theme). Accordingly,the gaming system removes the reel 405 b. At this point, fifty-twoseconds of the designated period remain. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 460: “THE ALIEN REEL IS REMOVED . .. ” As illustrated in FIG. 4I, the gaming system replaces the removedreel 405 b with reel 405 g, which has the pirate theme, such that thereel 405 g is associated with and configured to display symbols at thesymbol display areas 410 b, 410 g, and 410 l. The gaming systemdetermines that the timer increase event occurred because the secondreel set modification event occurred and, therefore, adds one minute tothe designated period. At this point, one minute and fifty seconds ofthe designated period remain. The gaming system displays the followingmessage in the message box 460: “ . . . AND A PIRATE REEL IS ADDED INITS PLACE! ONE MINUTE IS ADDED TO THE TIMER!”

In other embodiments, while the alien timer is active, the gaming systemdoes not disable the second reel set modification event. In other words,in these embodiments, when the alien timer is active for a play of thegame, the gaming system determines whether the second reel setmodification event occurred for that play of the game. It should thus beappreciated that, in these embodiments, when the alien timer is active,the gaming system enables the reel set to be modified by: (a) replacingreels associated with the neutral theme or the pirate theme with reelsassociated with the alien theme, and (b) replacing any reels associatedwith the neutral theme or the alien theme with reels associated with thepirate theme.

In other embodiments, while the pirate timer is active, the gamingsystem does not disable the first reel set modification event. In otherwords, in these embodiments, when the pirate timer is active for a playof the game, the gaming system determines whether the first reel setmodification event occurred for that play of the game. It should thus beappreciated that, in these embodiments, when the pirate timer is active,the gaming system enables the reel set to be modified by: (a) replacingreels associated with the neutral theme or the alien theme with reelsassociated with the pirate theme, and (b) replacing any reels associatedwith the neutral theme or the pirate theme with reels associated withthe alien theme.

In other embodiments, when the designated period expires and the alientimer is active, the gaming system deactivates the alien timer andreplaces at least one reel associated with the alien theme with a reelassociated with the pirate theme instead of resetting the set of reelsto the initial set.

In other embodiments, when the designated period expires and the piratetimer is active, the gaming system deactivates the pirate timer andreplaces at least one reel associated with the pirate theme with a reelassociated with the alien theme instead of resetting the set of reels tothe initial set.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system employs the modifier describedbelow in addition to the timer(s). In one such embodiment, the gamingsystem resets the modifier to its initial value (described below) uponexpiration of the designated period.

Battling Symbol Generators Game with Symbol Generator Replacement andModifier

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, and 5I illustrate screen shots ofone example embodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosureproviding a plurality of plays of another example embodiment of thebattling reels game of the present disclosure. In this exampleembodiment, the battling reels game is a free spin bonus game. Thegaming system displays a plurality of symbol display areas 510 a, 510 b,510 c, 510 d, 510 e, 510 f, 510 g, 510 h, 510 i, 510 j, 510 k, 510 l,510 m, 510 n, and 510 o arranged in a 3×5 grid or matrix. The gamingsystem displays a plurality of paylines, each of which is associatedwith a different plurality of the symbol display areas. In this exampleembodiment: (a) payline 515 a is associated with symbol display areas510 a, 510 b, 510 c, 510 d, and 510 e; (b) payline 515 b is associatedwith symbol display areas 510 f, 510 g, 510 h, 510 i, and 510 j; and (c)payline 515 c is associated with symbol display areas 510 k, 510 l, 510m, 510 n, and 510 o.

The gaming system also displays: (a) a message box 560 (describedabove); (b) a plurality of meters including: (i) a credit meter 570(described above), (ii) a free spins remaining meter 580 that displaysthe quantity of remaining free spins, and (iii) an award meter 590(described above); and (c) a multiplier display 550 that displays thecurrent value of the multiplier (described below).

In this example embodiment, the game is associated with a plurality ofsymbols and a plurality of reels (i.e., symbol generators in thisexample embodiment). Here: (a) each of the plurality of reels isassociated with two or more of the plurality of symbols; (b) each reelis associated with one of a plurality of different themes (i.e.,characteristics in this example embodiment) and includes a backgroundassociated with that theme; and (c) at least three of the reels areassociated with different themes. In this example embodiment, the themes(and their associated backgrounds) include: (a) a first alien theme(associated with a hatched background), (b) a second pirate theme(associated with a dotted background), and (c) a third neutral theme(associated with a blank background). Additionally, in this exampleembodiment, for each reel, one or more of the symbols associated withthat reel also have the theme of that reel. For instance, one or more ofthe symbols associated with a reel having the alien theme also have thealien theme.

In this example embodiment, for each free spin, the gaming systememploys a set of the plurality of reels including two or more of, butfewer than all of, the plurality of reels. Here, the gaming systeminitially selects and employs an initial set of the reels includingreels 505 a, 505 b, 505 c, 505 d, and 505 e for the game. The gamingsystem displays the reels 505 a, 505 b, 505 c, 505 d, and 505 e fromleft to right in association with the plurality of symbol display areassuch that each reel is configured to display symbols at one or more ofthe symbol display areas. More specifically, the gaming system displays:(a) the reel 505 a in association with the symbol display areas 510 a,510 f, and 510 k; (b) the reel 505 b in association with the symboldisplay areas, 510 b, 510 g, and 510 l; (c) the reel 505 c inassociation with the symbol display areas 510 c, 510 h, and 510 m; (d)the reel 505 d in association with the symbol display areas 510 d, 510i, and 510 n; and (e) the reel 505 e in association with the symboldisplay areas 510 e, 510 j, and 510 o.

In this example embodiment, the gaming system determines any awardsassociated with a free spin based on the symbols displayed at the symboldisplay areas by determining (a) whether any winning combinations of thesymbols included in a paytable (not shown) associated with the game aredisplayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines, and (b)whether any winning combinations of the symbols are displayed from rightto left along any wagered-on paylines.

In this example embodiment, with respect to the initial set of reels:(a) the leftmost reels 505 a and 505 b of the initial set each have thealien theme and, therefore, each display the hatched backgroundassociated with the alien theme; (b) the middle reel 505 c of theinitial set has the neutral theme and, therefore, displays the blankbackground associated with the neutral theme; and (c) the rightmostreels 505 d and 505 e of the initial set each have the pirate theme and,therefore, each display the dotted background associated with the piratetheme. During game play, the gaming system: (a) removes and replaces oneor more reels having the neutral or pirate themes with one or more reelshaving the alien theme upon an occurrence of a first reel setmodification event, and (b) removes and replaces one or more reelshaving the neutral or alien themes with one or more reels having thepirate theme upon an occurrence of a second different reel setmodification event.

More specifically, in this example embodiment, the gaming systemdetermines that the first reel set modification event occurs inassociation with a free spin when: (a) a sum of any awards associatedwith any winning combinations of symbols displayed from left to rightalong any wagered-on paylines is greater than a sum of any awardsassociated with any winning combinations of symbols displayed from rightto left along any wagered-on paylines, and (b) at least one of the reelsof the set does not have the alien theme. The gaming system determinesthat the second reel set modification event occurs in association with afree spin when: (a) a sum of any awards associated with any winningcombinations of symbols displayed from right to left along anywagered-on paylines is greater than a sum of any awards associated withany winning combinations of symbols displayed from left to right alongany wagered-on paylines, and (b) at least one of the reels of the setdoes not have the pirate theme.

In this example embodiment, upon an occurrence of the first reel setmodification event, the gaming system modifies the set of reels byremoving the reel that is adjacent to the rightmost reel associated withthe alien theme and replacing it with another reel that is associatedwith the alien theme such that the modified set of reels includes onemore reel associated with the alien theme than it did before beingmodified. Similarly, upon an occurrence of the second reel setmodification event, the gaming system modifies the set of reels byremoving the reel that is adjacent to the leftmost reel associated withthe pirate theme and replacing it with another reel that is associatedwith the pirate theme such that the modified set of reels includes onemore reel associated with the pirate theme than it did before beingmodified.

The free spin bonus game is associated with a modifier, which is amultiplier in this example embodiment. Additionally, upon initiation ofthe free spin bonus game in this example embodiment, the gaming systemassigns the player either the alien theme or the pirate theme. If theplayer is assigned the alien theme, the gaming system: (a) increases avalue of the multiplier whenever the gaming system replaces a reelassociated with the neutral theme or the pirate theme with a reelassociated with the alien theme, and (b) decreases the value of themultiplier whenever the gaming system replaces a reel associated withthe alien theme with a reel associated with the pirate theme or theneutral theme. Similarly, if the player is assigned the pirate theme,the gaming system: (a) increases a value of the multiplier whenever thegaming system replaces a reel associated with the neutral theme or thealien theme with a reel associated with the pirate theme, and (b)decreases the value of the multiplier whenever the gaming systemreplaces a reel associated with the pirate theme with a reel associatedwith the alien theme or the neutral theme.

In this example embodiment, for each free spin, the gaming system usesthe multiplier to modify any awards determined for that free spin. Inother embodiments, the gaming system employs the multiplier to modify asum of any awards determined for the free spin bonus game.

Turning to FIG. 5A, upon initiation of the free spin bonus game, thegaming system assigns the player the pirate theme and provides theplayer with ten free spins of the reels (as shown in the free spinsremaining meter 580). The gaming system displays the following messagein the message box 560: “WELCOME TO THE FREE SPIN BONUS! YOUR REEL THEMEIS THE PIRATE THEME. YOUR MULTIPLIER INCREASES WHENEVER A PIRATE REELREPLACES ANOTHER REEL! GOOD LUCK!” As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the gamingsystem initiates one of the free spins; reduces the number of remainingfree spins by one (as shown in the free spins remaining meter 580); anddisplays the reels 505 a, 505 b, 505 c, 505 d, and 505 e spinning. Thegaming system displays the following message in the message box 560:“PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REELS SPIN . . . ”

As illustrated in FIG. 5C, the gaming system stops the reels 505 a, 505b, 505 c, 505 d, and 505 e such that: (a) A4 symbol 520 a is displayedat the symbol display area 510 a, (b) A2 symbol 520 b is displayed atthe symbol display area 510 b, (c) N1 symbol 520 c is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 c, (d) P1 symbol 520 d is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 d, (e) P1 symbol 520 e is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 e, (f) A5 symbol 520 f is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 f, (g) A3 symbol 520 g is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 g, (h) N2 symbol 520 h is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 h, (i) P4 symbol 520 i is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 i, (j) P3 symbol 520 j is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 j, (k) A6 symbol 520 k is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 k, (l) A1 symbol 520 l is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 l, (m) N2 symbol 520 m is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 m, (n) P1 symbol 520 n is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 n, and (o) P2 symbol 520 o is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 o.

As noted above, the gaming system determines any awards associated withthe free spin based on the symbols displayed at the symbol display areasby determining (a) whether any winning combinations of the symbolsincluded in the paytable associated with the game are displayed fromleft to right along any of the paylines, and (b) whether any winningcombinations of the symbols are displayed from right to left along anyof the paylines. Here, the gaming system determines that the symbols P1520 e, P1 520 d, and N1 520 c displayed from right to left along thepayline 515 a form one of the winning symbol combinations. The gamingsystem determines an award of 100 credits associated with the displayedP1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination, displays the 100 credit award inthe award meter 590, and updates the player's credit balance to reflectthe 100 credit award.

The gaming system determines whether the first reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the free spin, as described above.Here, the gaming system determines that the first reel set modificationevent did not occur in association with the free spin because the sum ofawards (0 credits) associated with any winning combinations of symbolsdisplayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines (no winningsymbol combinations) is not greater than the sum of awards (100 credits)associated with any winning combinations of symbols displayed from rightto left along any wagered-on paylines (the P1-P1-N1 winning symbolcombination).

The gaming system determines whether the second reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the free spin, as described above.Here, the gaming system determines that the second reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the free spin because: (a) the sum ofawards (100 credits) associated with any winning combinations of symbolsdisplayed from right to left along any wagered-on paylines (the P1-P1-N1winning symbol combination) is greater than the sum of awards (0credits) associated with any winning combinations of symbols displayedfrom left to right along any wagered-on paylines (no winning symbolcombinations); and (b) the reels 205 a, 205 b, and 205 c are notassociated with the pirate theme.

As noted above, upon an occurrence of the second reel set modificationevent in this example embodiment, the gaming system modifies the set ofreels by removing the reel that is adjacent to the leftmost reel havingthe pirate theme and replacing it with another reel that has the piratetheme. Thus, the modified set of reels includes one more reel having thepirate theme than it did before being modified. The gaming systemdisplays the following message in the message box 260: “YOU WIN 100CREDITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE P1-P1-N1 WINNING SYMBOL COMBINATIONDISPLAYED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT ALONG THE TOP PAYLINE AND THE 1×MULTIPLIER! PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REEL ADJACENT TO THE LEFTMOST PIRATEREEL IS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PIRATE REEL!”

As illustrated in FIG. 5D, in this instance the leftmost reel that hasthe pirate theme is the reel 505 d, and the reel that is adjacent to thereel 505 d is the reel 505 c (which has the neutral theme). Accordingly,the gaming system removes the reel 505 c. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 560: “THE NEUTRAL REEL IS REMOVED .. . ” As illustrated in FIG. 5E, the gaming system replaces the removedreel 505 c with reel 505 f, which has the pirate theme, such that thereel 505 f is associated with and configured to display symbols at thesymbol display areas 510 c, 510 h, and 510 m. Since the gaming systemreplaced a reel having the neutral theme with a reel having the piratetheme, the gaming system increases the value of the multiplier by one to2×, as shown in the multiplier display 550. The gaming system displaysthe following message in the message box 560: “ . . . AND A PIRATE REELIS ADDED IN ITS PLACE! YOUR MULTIPLIER INCREASES BY ONE TO 2× BECAUSE APIRATE REEL REPLACED ANOTHER REEL!”

As also illustrated in FIG. 5F, the gaming system initiates another oneof the free spins; reduces the number of remaining free spins by one (asshown in the free spins remaining meter 580); and displays the reels 505a, 505 b, 505 c, 505 d, and 505 e spinning. The gaming system displaysthe following message in the message box 560: “PLEASE WAIT WHILE THEREELS SPIN . . . ”

As illustrated in FIG. 5G, the gaming system stops the reels 505 a, 505b, 505 c, 505 d, and 505 e such that: (a) A7 symbol 521 a is displayedat the symbol display area 510 a, (b) A1 symbol 521 b is displayed atthe symbol display area 510 b, (c) P1 symbol 521 c is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 c, (d) P1 symbol 521 d is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 d, (e) P4 symbol 521 e is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 e, (f) A8 symbol 521 f is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 f, (g) A7 symbol 521 g is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 g, (h) P7 symbol 521 h is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 h, (i) P7 symbol 521 i is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 i, (j) P7 symbol 521 j is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 j, (k) A6 symbol 521 k is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 k, (l) A2 symbol 521 l is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 l, (m) P2 symbol 521 m is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 m, (n) P3 symbol 521 n is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 n, and (o) P3 symbol 5210 is displayed at thesymbol display area 510 o.

As noted above, the gaming system determines any awards associated withthe free spin based on the symbols displayed at the symbol display areasby determining (a) whether any winning combinations of the symbolsincluded in the paytable associated with the game are displayed fromleft to right along any of the paylines, and (b) whether any winningcombinations of the symbols are displayed from right to left along anyof the paylines. Here, the gaming system determines that the symbols P7521 j, P7 521 i, P7 521 h, and A7 521 g displayed from right to leftalong the payline 515 b form one of the winning symbol combinations. Thegaming system determines an award of 1,000 credits associated with thedisplayed P7-P7-P7-A7 winning symbol combination and modifies the 1,000credit award by the 2× multiplier, which results in a total award of2,000 credits. The gaming system displays the total award of 2,000credits in the award meter 590, and updates the player's credit balanceto reflect the total award of 2,000 credits.

The gaming system determines whether the first reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the free spin, as described above.Here, the gaming system determines that the first reel set modificationevent did not occur in association with the free spin because the sum ofawards (0 credits) associated with any winning combinations of symbolsdisplayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines (no winningsymbol combinations) is not greater than the sum of awards (1,000credits) associated with any winning combinations of symbols displayedfrom right to left along any wagered-on paylines (the P7-P7-P7-A7winning symbol combination).

The gaming system determines whether the second reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the free spin, as described above.Here, the gaming system determines that the second reel set modificationevent occurred in association with the free spin because: (a) the sum ofawards (1,000 credits) associated with any winning combinations ofsymbols displayed from right to left along any wagered-on paylines (theP7-P7-P7-A7 winning symbol combination) is greater than the sum ofawards (0 credits) associated with any winning combinations of symbolsdisplayed from left to right along any wagered-on paylines (no winningsymbol combinations); and (b) the reels 205 a and 205 b are notassociated with the pirate theme.

As noted above, upon an occurrence of the second reel set modificationevent in this example embodiment, the gaming system modifies the set ofreels by removing the reel that is adjacent to the leftmost reel havingthe pirate theme and replacing it with another reel that has the piratetheme. Thus, the modified set of reels includes one more reel having thepirate theme than it did before being modified. The gaming systemdisplays the following message in the message box 260: “YOU WIN 2,000CREDITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE P7-P7-P7-A7 WINNING SYMBOL COMBINATIONDISPLAYED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT ALONG THE MIDDLE PAYLINE AND THE 2×MULTIPLIER! PLEASE WAIT WHILE THE REEL ADJACENT TO THE LEFTMOST PIRATEREEL IS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PIRATE REEL!”

As illustrated in FIG. 5H, in this instance the leftmost reel that hasthe pirate theme is the reel 505 f, and the reel that is adjacent to thereel 505 f is the reel 505 b (which has the alien theme). Accordingly,the gaming system removes the reel 505 b. The gaming system displays thefollowing message in the message box 560: “THE ALIEN REEL IS REMOVED . .. ” As illustrated in FIG. 5I, the gaming system replaces the removedreel 505 b with reel 505 g, which has the pirate theme, such that thereel 505 g is associated with and configured to display symbols at thesymbol display areas 510 b, 510 g, and 510 l. Since the gaming systemreplaced a reel having the alien theme with a reel having the piratetheme, the gaming system increases the value of the multiplier by one to3×, as shown in the multiplier display 550. The gaming system displaysthe following message in the message box 560: “ . . . AND A PIRATE REELIS ADDED IN ITS PLACE! YOUR MULTIPLIER INCREASES BY ONE TO 3× BECAUSE APIRATE REEL REPLACED ANOTHER REEL!”

Other Embodiments

While the symbol generators are typically referred to herein as reels,it should be appreciated that the symbol generators may be any suitablesymbol generators, such (but not limited to) as wheels, dice, or playingcards.

In various embodiments, the gaming system employs a fading symbolsfeature to emphasize which of the symbols displayed at the symboldisplay areas (if any) form winning symbol combinations. FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate screen shots of the gaming system of the present disclosureproviding one such example embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, thegaming system displays: (a) A4 symbol 620 a at the symbol display area610 a, (b) A2 symbol 620 b at the symbol display area 610 b, (c) N1symbol 620 c at the symbol display area 610 c, (d) P1 symbol 620 d atthe symbol display area 610 d, (e) P1 symbol 620 e at the symbol displayarea 610 e, (f) A5 symbol 620 f at the symbol display area 610 f, (g) A3symbol 620 g at the symbol display area 610 g, (h) N2 symbol 620 h atthe symbol display area 610 h, (i) P4 symbol 620 i at the symbol displayarea 610 i, (j) P3 symbol 620 j at the symbol display area 610 j, (k) A6symbol 620 k at the symbol display area 610 k, (l) A1 symbol 620 l atthe symbol display area 610 l, (m) N2 symbol 620 m at the symbol displayarea 610 m, (n) P1 symbol 620 n at the symbol display area 610 n, and(o) P2 symbol 620 o at the symbol display area 610 o.

The gaming system determines any awards based on the symbols displayedat the symbol display areas by determining (a) whether any winningcombinations of the symbols included in the paytable associated with thegame are displayed from left to right along any of the paylines, and (b)whether any winning combinations of the symbols are displayed from rightto left along any of the paylines. Here, the gaming system determinesthat the symbols P1 620 e, P1 620 d, and N1 620 c displayed from rightto left along the payline 615 a form one of the winning symbolcombinations. The gaming system determines an award of 100 creditsassociated with the displayed P1-P1-N1 winning symbol combination,displays the 100 credit award in the award meter 290, and updates theplayer's credit balance to reflect the 100 credit award. As illustratedin FIG. 6B, the gaming system fades, removes, or otherwise deemphasizesthe symbols that are not part of the displayed winning symbolcombination (i.e., the symbols other than the symbols 620 e, 620 d, and620 c) to facilitate the player recognizing the winning symbolcombination.

In the embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 2A to 2I, 3A to3I, 4A to 4I, and 5A to 5I, the initial set of reels includes two reelsassociated with a first characteristic, one reel associated with asecond different characteristic, and two reels associated with a thirddifferent characteristic. It should be appreciated that, in otherembodiments, the initial set of reels may include any suitable reelsassociated with any suitable characteristics. For instance, in oneexample embodiment, the initial set of reels includes one reelassociated with a first characteristic, three reels associated with asecond different characteristic, and one reel associated with a thirddifferent characteristic. In another example embodiment, each of thereels of the initial set of reels is associated with a same one of thecharacteristics.

In certain embodiments in which a reel set modification event occursbased at least in part on the display of one or more winning symbolcombinations, the quantity of reels removed from the set and thequantity of reels added to the set are determined based on theparticular winning symbol combination(s) that caused the reel setmodification event to occur. In one example embodiment, the occurrenceof a first winning symbol combination causes the gaming system to removea first quantity of the reels and add a first quantity of reels, and theoccurrence of a second different winning symbol combination causes thegaming system to remove a second different quantity of the reels and adda second different quantity of the reels. In one instance, the firstwinning symbol combination is rarer than the second winning symbolcombination and the first quantity is greater than the second quantity.

In various embodiments, the gaming system prompts the player to performan action, such as to actuate a button, while the gaming system removesone or more reels from the set, repositions one or reels of the set,and/or adds one or more reels to the set. The gaming system affects thedisplayed animation of such removal, repositioning, and/or adding basedon the input received from the player. For instance, the faster theplayer actuates the button, the faster the gaming system shifts thereels, and vice-versa.

It should be appreciated that the reel set modification events may beany suitable events. For instance in one embodiment, the reel setmodification event occurs when a designated quantity of at least onetrigger symbol is generated and displayed for a play of the game. Inanother embodiment, the reel set modification event occurs when theplayer collects a designated quantity of at least two trigger symbols inthe same play of the game or over a plurality of different plays of thegame. In another embodiment, the reel set modification event occurs whena play of the game is completed. In other words, in this embodiment, thegaming system removes and adds at least one reel after each play of thegame. In another embodiment, the gaming system enables the player tochoose the reel set modification event. For instance, upon initiation ofthe a play of the game, the gaming system enables the player to selectone of a plurality of different events, and employs the selected eventas the reel set modification event. In another embodiment, the reel setmodification event is a mystery event that occurs randomly at the startof a play of the game. In another embodiment, the reel set modificationevent occurs when one of at least one designated outcome (such as adesignated winning outcome) is generated and displayed for a play of thegame. It should be appreciated that the gaming system may employ anysuitable combination of a plurality of different reel set modificationevents, at least two of which may have different results (e.g., when afirst reel set modification event occurs, the gaming system removes asingle reel and adds a single reel, and when a second different reel setmodification event occurs, the gaming system removes two reels and addstwo reels).

In certain embodiments, the plurality of reels includes reels associatedwith either a first characteristic or a second different characteristic.In one example embodiment, the game is associated with a first reel setmodification event. If the first reel set modification event occurs, thegaming system modifies the set of reels such that the set of reelsincludes at least one more reel associated with the first characteristicthan it did before the modification. In this example embodiment, thegaming system is not configured to modify the set of reels such that theset of reels includes at least one more reel associated with the secondcharacteristic than it did before the modification.

In certain embodiments, instead of (or in addition to) displaying thechanging characteristic(s) of the symbol generator(s) upon theoccurrences of the symbol generator modification event(s) during gameplay, the gaming system maintains counts of the occurrence(s) of thesymbol generator modification event(s). In such embodiments, the bonustriggering event occurs when one of the counts reaches a designatedquantity or when a difference between two of the counts reaches adesignated quantity.

For instance, in an embodiment in which the gaming system employs firstand second symbol generator modification events, the gaming system: (a)triggers the first bonus when the count associated with the first symbolgenerator modification event is a designated quantity higher than thecount associated with the second symbol generator modification event,and (b) triggers the second bonus when the count associated with thesecond symbol generator modification event is a designated quantityhigher than the count associated with the first symbol generatormodification event. In another embodiment in which the gaming systememploys first and second symbol generator modification events, thegaming system: (a) triggers the first bonus when the count associatedwith the first symbol generator modification event reaches a designatedquantity (regardless of the count associated with the second symbolgenerator modification event), and (b) triggers the second bonus whenthe count associated with the second symbol generator modification eventreaches a designated quantity (regardless of the count associated withthe first symbol generator modification event). In an example embodimentin which the gaming system employs a single symbol generatormodification event, the gaming system triggers the bonus when the countreaches a designated quantity.

In various embodiments, when the reel set modification event associatedwith a particular characteristic occurs and all of the reels of the setare associated with that characteristic, the gaming system modifies atleast one of the reels in the set such that the at least one reel: (a)includes a higher concentration of high value symbols (such as majorsymbols, Wild symbols, and/or Bonus symbols) than low value symbols; (b)includes only high value symbols; (c) includes at least one multiplierWild symbol; (d) includes at least one modifier (such as a multiplier);(e) includes a stack of a plurality of instances of a Wild symbolarranged adjacent to one another; (f) includes a stack of a plurality ofinstances of a multiplier Wild symbol arranged adjacent to one another;(g) includes at least one free play retrigger symbol that, if generatedand displayed for a play of the game, causes the gaming system toprovide at least one free play of the game; (h) includes one or moretrigger that, when generated and displayed for a play of the game, causethe reel set modification event to occur; (i) includes one or more splitsymbols (such as double symbols, triple symbols, or quadruple symbols);(j) includes a stack of a plurality of instances of a symbol arrangedadjacent to one another; (k) includes one or more bonus trigger symbolsthat, if generated and displayed for a play of the game, cause thegaming system to provide one or more bonus features (such as bonusgames); (l) includes one or more accumulative symbols that the playermay accumulate and subsequently redeem to convert certain symbols (suchas low value symbols) into designated symbols (such as Wild symbols);(m) includes one or more scatter symbols that, if generated anddisplayed for a play of the slot game, cause the gaming system toprovide a scatter award; (n) includes one or more symbols not associatedwith at least one of the reels and that are included in one or more newwinning symbol combinations; (o) includes one or more symbols that, ifgenerated and displayed during a play of the slot game, cause the gamingsystem to re-spin one or more of the reels; (p) includes a vertical or ahorizontal tumbling reels feature; (q) includes a locked wilds featurein which at least one Wild symbol is guaranteed to be generated anddisplayed at a specific symbol display areas associated with that reelfollowing the spin; (r) includes a changing symbol stack feature inwhich the symbols that are stacked change as the reels shift and/orspin; (s) includes a wild reel feature that causes the reel to, whenstopped, display all Wild symbols a certain percentage of the time,wherein the percentage is less than 100%; and/or (t) includes a symbolthat triggers a progressive jackpot if that symbol is generated anddisplayed on one of the reels and, in certain embodiments, is part of adisplayed winning symbol combination.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system enables a player to place aside bet associated with a particular play of the game that isassociated with one of the characteristics. If the gaming systemmodifies the set of reels in association with that play of the game suchthat the set of reels includes more reels associated with the wagered-oncharacteristic, the gaming system provides the player an awardassociated with the side bet. If not, the player forfeits the side bet.

In further embodiments, the gaming system enables a player to place aside bet associated with a particular characteristic. If the set ofreels is modified such that a designated quantity of the reels (such asall of the reels) are each associated with the wagered-on characteristicbefore the set of reels is modified such that the designated quantity ofthe reels are each associated with a characteristic other than thewagered-on characteristic. The gaming system provides the player anaward associated with the side bet. If not, the player forfeits the sidebet.

It should be appreciated that the plurality of reels may include anysuitable quantity of reels, and that the quantity of reels included inthe plurality of reels may be determined in any suitable manner(s) orbased on any suitable factor(s). In one example embodiment, the quantityof reels in the set is determined based on a wager placed by the playeron the play of the primary wagering game that triggered the free spinbonus such that the higher the wager, the higher the quantity of reels.It should also be appreciated that which reels are included in the setmay be determined in any suitable manner. In one example, the gamingsystem employs a predetermined plurality of reels or one of a pluralityof predetermined pluralities of reels. In another example, the gamingsystem dynamically generates which reels to include in the plurality ofreels either before play of the game or as reels are removed.

In various embodiments, upon the occurrence of a reel set modificationevent, the gaming system: (a) removes a designated quantity of the reelsfrom the set and adds the same designated quantity of reels to the set(e.g., removes one reel and adds one reel, removes two reels and addstwo reels, removes three reels and adds three reels, removes four reelsand adds four reels, or removes five reels and adds five reels); (b)removes a randomly determined quantity of the reels from the set andadds that same randomly determined quantity of reels to the set; (c)removes a quantity of the reels from the set determined based on thereel set modification event and adds that same determined quantity ofreels to the set; (d) removes and adds different quantities of the reels(e.g., removes one reel and adds two reels); (e) replaces the currentset of the reels with another different predetermined set of the reels;(f) updates certain background elements to signify the removal of andthe addition of reels (for example, displays a protagonist characterattacking an antagonist character when one or more reels associated withthe protagonist character replace one or more reels associated with theantagonist character crystals); and/or (g) adds at least one reel to theset without removing any of the reels from the set (e.g., a five reelslot game becomes a six reel slot game after the occurrence of the reelset modification event).

In certain embodiments, the battling symbol generators game isassociated with a plurality of different symbol generators and aplurality of different symbols. In these embodiments: (a) each of thesymbols is associated with one of a plurality of differentcharacteristics; (b) each of the symbol generators is associated withtwo or more of the symbols; and (c) initially, for each of the symbolgenerators, the symbols associated with that symbol generator are eachassociated with a same one of the characteristics.

In one example embodiment, initially, a first quantity of the symbolsassociated with a set of two or more of the plurality of symbolgenerators are associated with a first characteristic and a secondquantity of the symbols of the set of the symbol generators areassociated with a second different characteristic. In operation of thisexample embodiment, for a play of the game, for each symbol generator ofthe set, the gaming system displays that symbol generator in associationwith one or more of a plurality of symbol display areas. For each symbolgenerator of the set, the gaming system displays at least one of thesymbols associated with that symbol generator at each of the one or moresymbol display areas with which that symbol generator is associated. Thegaming system determines any awards associated with the displayedsymbols and displays any determined awards.

The gaming system determines whether a first symbol modification eventoccurred in association with the play of the game. If the gaming systemdetermines that the first symbol modification event occurred inassociation with the play of the game, the gaming system modifies atleast one of symbols of at least one of the symbol generators of the setsuch that a third quantity of the symbols associated with the set areeach associated with the first characteristic, wherein the thirdquantity is greater than the first quantity.

The gaming system determines whether a second different symbolmodification event occurred in association with the play of the game. Ifthe gaming system determines that the second symbol modification eventoccurred in association with the play of the game, the gaming systemmodifies at least one of symbols of at least one of the symbolgenerators of the set such that a fourth quantity of the symbolsassociated with the set are each associated with the secondcharacteristic, wherein the fourth quantity is greater than the secondquantity.

In an embodiment in which the first symbol modification event occurswhen a winning symbol combination is displayed from left to right alonga wagered-on payline and in which the second symbol modification eventoccurs when a winning symbol combination is displayed from right to leftalong a wagered-on payline: (a) upon an occurrence of the first symbolmodification event, the gaming system modifies the symbols included inthe displayed winning symbol combination (if necessary) such that eachof the symbols included in the displayed winning symbol combination areassociated with the first characteristic; and (b) upon an occurrence ofthe second symbol modification event, the gaming system modifies thesymbols included in the displayed winning symbol combination (ifnecessary) such that each of the symbols included in the displayedwinning symbol combination are associated with the secondcharacteristic. It should thus be appreciated that, in this embodiment,the gaming system does not modify any symbols (displayed or notdisplayed) that are not included in a displayed winning symbolcombination.

In another embodiment in which the first symbol modification eventoccurs when a winning symbol combination is displayed from left to rightalong a wagered-on payline and in which the second symbol modificationevent occurs when a winning symbol combination is displayed from rightto left along a wagered-on payline: (a) upon an occurrence of the firstsymbol modification event, the gaming system modifies the displayedsymbols associated with a particular symbol generator (if necessary)such that the displayed symbols associated with that symbol generatorare each associated with the first characteristic; and (b) upon anoccurrence of the second symbol modification event, the gaming systemmodifies the displayed symbols associated with a particular symbolgenerator (if necessary) such that the displayed symbols associated withthat symbol generator are each associated with the secondcharacteristic. It should thus be appreciated that, in this embodiment,the gaming system does not modify any of the symbols associated withthat symbol generator that are not displayed.

In various embodiments employing the symbol modification event(s), abonus triggering event occurs when: (a) the symbols displayed at thesymbol display areas are each associated with the same characteristic(e.g., all of the generated and displayed symbols are associated with analien characteristic); (b) the symbols included in any displayed winningsymbol combinations are each associated with the same characteristic(e.g., all of the symbols included in a winning symbol combinationdisplayed from left to right along a wagered-on payline are associatedwith the alien characteristic); and/or (c) the symbols associated with aparticular symbol generator (or a particular plurality of symbolgenerators) are each associated with the same characteristic (e.g., allof the symbols associated with a particular symbol generator areassociated with the alien characteristic).

It should be appreciated that the gaming system may provide one or moreof the following instead of or in addition to a play of a bonus gamewhen one of the bonus triggering events occurs: (1) monetary credits orcurrency; (2) non-monetary credits or currency; (3) a modifier such as amultiplier used to modify one or more awards; (4) one or more free playsof a game; (5) one or more lottery based awards (such as one or morelottery or drawing tickets); (6) a wager match for one or more plays ofthe a wagering game; (7) an increase in an average expected paybackpercentage of a bonus game and/or an average expected payback percentageof a primary wagering game for one or more plays; (8) one or more comps(such as a free dinner or a free night's stay at a hotel); (9) one ormore bonus or promotional credits usable for online play; (10) one ormore player tracking points; (11) a multiplier for player trackingpoints or credits; 12) an increase in a membership or player trackinglevel; (13) one or more coupons or promotions usable within a gamingestablishment and/or outside of the gaming establishment (e.g., a 20%off coupon for use at a retail store or a promotional code providing adeposit match for use in association with an online casino); (14) anaccess code usable to unlock content on the Internet; (15) a progressivejackpot or other progressive award; (16) a high value product or service(such as a car); and (17) a low value product or service (such as ateddy bear).

It should be appreciated that any of the alternative embodimentsdescribed herein may be employed with any of the example embodimentsdescribed herein.

It should be appreciated that:

-   -   (a) the type of symbol generators;    -   (b) the particular symbol generators in the plurality of symbol        generators;    -   (c) the quantity of symbol generators in the plurality of symbol        generators;    -   (d) the particular characteristics;    -   (e) the quantity of characteristics;    -   (f) which characteristics the symbol generators are associated        with;    -   (g) the quantity of symbol display areas;    -   (h) the arrangement of the symbol display areas;    -   (i) which particular symbol display areas are associated with        the symbol generators;    -   (j) the quantity of symbol display areas associated with the        symbol generators;    -   (k) the particular symbols;    -   (l) the symbols associated with the symbol generators;    -   (m) the winning symbol combinations;    -   (n) the awards associated with the winning symbol combinations;    -   (o) the symbol generator modification events;    -   (p) the manner in which the gaming system modifies the set of        symbol generators upon the occurrence of the symbol generator        modification event;    -   (q) the quantity of symbol generators replaced upon the        occurrence of the symbol generator modification event;    -   (r) the quantity of symbol generators repositioned upon the        occurrence of the symbol generator modification event;    -   (s) the quantity of symbol generators added upon the occurrence        of the symbol generator modification event;    -   (t) the particular of symbol generators replaced upon the        occurrence of the symbol generator modification event;    -   (u) the particular of symbol generators repositioned upon the        occurrence of the symbol generator modification event;    -   (v) the particular of symbol generators added upon the        occurrence of the symbol generator modification event;    -   (w) the bonus triggering event;    -   (x) the quantity of paylines;    -   (y) the symbol display areas with which the paylines are        associated;    -   (z) the reels included in the initial set of reels;    -   (aa) the different bonuses;    -   (bb) the timer activation events;    -   (cc) the timer increase event;    -   (dd) how the gaming system extends the designated period upon        the occurrence of the timer increase event;    -   (ee) the initial value of the modifier;    -   (ff) the designated period;    -   (gg) how much the gaming system increases the value of the        modifier;    -   (hh) how the gaming system determines which characteristic to        assign to the player;    -   (ii) the quantity of free spins;    -   (jj) when the gaming system increases the modifier;    -   (kk) in embodiments in which the gaming system employs a single        reel modification event, the determination of how to modify the        set of symbol generators; and/or    -   (ll) any other variables or determinations described herein

may be: (1) predetermined; (2) randomly determined; (3) randomlydetermined based on one or more weighted percentages (such as accordingto a weighted table); (4) determined based on a generated symbol orsymbol combination; (5) determined independent of a generated symbol orsymbol combination; (6) determined based on a random determination by acentral controller (described below); (7) determined independent of arandom determination by the central controller; (8) determined based ona random determination at an EGM configured to operate the slot game(described below); (9) determined independent of a random determinationat the EGM; (10) determined based on at least one play of at least onegame; (11) determined independent of at least one play of at least onegame; (12) determined based on a player's selection; (13) determinedindependent of a player's selection; (14) determined based on one ormore side wagers placed; (15) determined independent of one or more sidewagers placed; (16) determined based on the player's primary game wageror wager level; (17) determined independent of the player's primary gamewager or wager level; (18) determined based on time (such as the time ofday); (19) determined independent of time (such as the time of day);(20) determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or morepools; (21) determined independent of an amount of coin-in accumulatedin one or more pools; (22) determined based on a status of the player(i.e., a player tracking status); (23) determined independent of astatus of the player (i.e., a player tracking status); (24) determinedbased on one or more other determinations disclosed herein; (25)determined independent of any other determination disclosed herein;and/or (26) determined in any other suitable manner or based on orindependent of any other suitable factor(s).

Gaming Systems

It should be appreciated that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be implemented in accordance with or inconjunction with one or more of a variety of different types of gamingsystems, such as, but not limited to, those described below.

The present disclosure contemplates a variety of different gamingsystems each having one or more of a plurality of different features,attributes, or characteristics. It should be appreciated that a “gamingsystem” as used herein refers to various configurations of: (a) one ormore central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts; (b) one ormore EGMs; and/or (c) one or more personal gaming devices, such asdesktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers or computingdevices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile telephones such assmart phones, and other mobile computing devices.

Thus, in various embodiments, the gaming system of the presentdisclosure includes: (a) one or more EGMs in combination with one ormore central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts; (b) one ormore personal gaming devices in combination with one or more centralservers, central controllers, or remote hosts; (c) one or more personalgaming devices in combination with one or more EGMs; (d) one or morepersonal gaming devices, one or more EGMs, and one or more centralservers, central controllers, or remote hosts in combination with oneanother; (e) a single EGM; (f) a plurality of EGMs in combination withone another; (g) a single personal gaming device; (h) a plurality ofpersonal gaming devices in combination with one another; (i) a singlecentral server, central controller, or remote host; and/or (j) aplurality of central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts incombination with one another.

For brevity and clarity, each EGM and each personal gaming device of thepresent disclosure is collectively referred to herein as an “EGM.”Additionally, for brevity and clarity, unless specifically statedotherwise, “EGM” as used herein represents one EGM or a plurality ofEGMs, and “central server, central controller, or remote host” as usedherein represents one central server, central controller, or remote hostor a plurality of central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the gaming system includes anEGM in combination with a central server, central controller, or remotehost. In such embodiments, the EGM is configured to communicate with thecentral server, central controller, or remote host through a datanetwork or remote communication link. In certain such embodiments, theEGM is configured to communicate with another EGM through the same datanetwork or remote communication link or through a different data networkor remote communication link. For example, the gaming system illustratedin FIG. 7A includes a plurality of EGMs 1010 that are each configured tocommunicate with a central server, central controller, or remote host1056 through a data network 1058.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes an EGM incombination with a central server, central controller, or remote host,the central server, central controller, or remote host is any suitablecomputing device (such as a server) that includes at least one processorand at least one memory device or storage device. As further describedbelow, the EGM includes at least one EGM processor configured totransmit and receive data or signals representing events, messages,commands, or any other suitable information between the EGM and thecentral server, central controller, or remote host. The at least oneprocessor of that EGM is configured to execute the events, messages, orcommands represented by such data or signals in conjunction with theoperation of the EGM. Moreover, the at least one processor of thecentral server, central controller, or remote host is configured totransmit and receive data or signals representing events, messages,commands, or any other suitable information between the central server,central controller, or remote host and the EGM. The at least oneprocessor of the central server, central controller, or remote host isconfigured to execute the events, messages, or commands represented bysuch data or signals in conjunction with the operation of the centralserver, central controller, or remote host. It should be appreciatedthat one, more, or each of the functions of the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host may be performed by the at least oneprocessor of the EGM. It should be further appreciated that one, more,or each of the functions of the at least one processor of the EGM may beperformed by the at least one processor of the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host.

In certain such embodiments, computerized instructions for controllingany games (such as any primary or base games and/or any secondary orbonus games) displayed by the EGM are executed by the central server,central controller, or remote host. In such “thin client” embodiments,the central server, central controller, or remote host remotely controlsany games (or other suitable interfaces) displayed by the EGM, and theEGM is utilized to display such games (or suitable interfaces) and toreceive one or more inputs or commands. In other such embodiments,computerized instructions for controlling any games displayed by the EGMare communicated from the central server, central controller, or remotehost to the EGM and are stored in at least one memory device of the EGM.In such “thick client” embodiments, the at least one processor of theEGM executes the computerized instructions to control any games (orother suitable interfaces) displayed by the EGM.

In various embodiments in which the gaming system includes a pluralityof EGMs, one or more of the EGMs are thin client EGMs and one or more ofthe EGMs are thick client EGMs. In other embodiments in which the gamingsystem includes one or more EGMs, certain functions of one or more ofthe EGMs are implemented in a thin client environment, and certain otherfunctions of one or more of the EGMs are implemented in a thick clientenvironment. In one such embodiment in which the gaming system includesan EGM and a central server, central controller, or remote host,computerized instructions for controlling any primary or base gamesdisplayed by the EGM are communicated from the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host to the EGM in a thick client configuration,and computerized instructions for controlling any secondary or bonusgames or other functions displayed by the EGM are executed by thecentral server, central controller, or remote host in a thin clientconfiguration.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGMconfigured to communicate with a central server, central controller, orremote host through a data network; and/or (b) a plurality of EGMsconfigured to communicate with one another through a data network, thedata network is a local area network (LAN) in which the EGMs are locatedsubstantially proximate to one another and/or the central server,central controller, or remote host. In one example, the EGMs and thecentral server, central controller, or remote host are located in agaming establishment or a portion of a gaming establishment.

In other embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGMconfigured to communicate with a central server, central controller, orremote host through a data network; and/or (b) a plurality of EGMsconfigured to communicate with one another through a data network, thedata network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of theEGMs are not necessarily located substantially proximate to another oneof the EGMs and/or the central server, central controller, or remotehost. For example, one or more of the EGMs are located: (a) in an areaof a gaming establishment different from an area of the gamingestablishment in which the central server, central controller, or remotehost is located; or (b) in a gaming establishment different from thegaming establishment in which the central server, central controller, orremote host is located. In another example, the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host is not located within a gaming establishmentin which the EGMs are located. It should be appreciated that in certainembodiments in which the data network is a WAN, the gaming systemincludes a central server, central controller, or remote host and an EGMeach located in a different gaming establishment in a same geographicarea, such as a same city or a same state. It should be appreciated thatgaming systems in which the data network is a WAN are substantiallyidentical to gaming systems in which the data network is a LAN, thoughthe quantity of EGMs in such gaming systems may vary relative to oneanother.

In further embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGMconfigured to communicate with a central server, central controller, orremote host through a data network; and/or (b) a plurality of EGMsconfigured to communicate with one another through a data network, thedata network is an internet or an intranet. In certain such embodiments,an internet browser of the EGM is usable to access an internet game pagefrom any location where an internet connection is available. In one suchembodiment, after the internet game page is accessed, the centralserver, central controller, or remote host identifies a player prior toenabling that player to place any wagers on any plays of any wageringgames. In one example, the central server, central controller, or remotehost identifies the player by requiring a player account of the playerto be logged into via an input of a unique username and passwordcombination assigned to the player. It should be appreciated, however,that the central server, central controller, or remote host may identifythe player in any other suitable manner, such as by validating a playertracking identification number associated with the player; by reading aplayer tracking card or other smart card inserted into a card reader (asdescribed below); by validating a unique player identification numberassociated with the player by the central server, central controller, orremote host; or by identifying the EGM, such as by identifying the MACaddress or the IP address of the internet facilitator. In variousembodiments, once the central server, central controller, or remote hostidentifies the player, the central server, central controller, or remotehost enables placement of one or more wagers on one or more plays of oneor more primary or base games and/or one or more secondary or bonusgames, and displays those plays via the internet browser of the EGM.

It should be appreciated that the central server, central controller, orremote host and the EGM are configured to connect to the data network orremote communications link in any suitable manner. In variousembodiments, such a connection is accomplished via: a conventional phoneline or other data transmission line, a digital subscriber line (DSL), aT-1 line, a coaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, a wireless or wiredrouting device, a mobile communications network connection (such as acellular network or mobile internet network), or any other suitablemedium. It should be appreciated that the expansion in the quantity ofcomputing devices and the quantity and speed of internet connections inrecent years increases opportunities for players to use a variety ofEGMs to play games from an ever-increasing quantity of remote sites. Itshould also be appreciated that the enhanced bandwidth of digitalwireless communications may render such technology suitable for some orall communications, particularly if such communications are encrypted.Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing thesophistication and response of the display and interaction with players.

EGM Components

In various embodiments, an EGM includes at least one processorconfigured to operate with at least one memory device, at least oneinput device, and at least one output device. The at least one processormay be any suitable processing device or set of processing devices, suchas a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitableintegrated circuit, or one or more application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs). FIG. 7B illustrates an example EGM including aprocessor 1012.

As generally noted above, the at least one processor of the EGM isconfigured to communicate with, configured to access, and configured toexchange signals with at least one memory device or data storage device.In various embodiments, the at least one memory device of the EGMincludes random access memory (RAM), which can include non-volatile RAM(NVRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and other formsas commonly understood in the gaming industry. In other embodiments, theat least one memory device includes read only memory (ROM). In certainembodiments, the at least one memory device of the EGM includes flashmemory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read onlymemory). The example EGM illustrated in FIG. 7B includes a memory device1014. It should be appreciated that any other suitable magnetic,optical, and/or semiconductor memory may operate in conjunction with theEGM disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the at least one processorof the EGM and the at least one memory device of the EGM both residewithin a cabinet of the EGM (as described below). In other embodiments,at least one of the at least one processor of the EGM and the at leastone memory device of the EGM reside outside the cabinet of the EGM (asdescribed below).

In certain embodiments, as generally described above, the at least onememory device of the EGM stores program code and instructions executableby the at least one processor of the EGM to control the EGM. The atleast one memory device of the EGM also stores other operating data,such as image data, event data, input data, random number generators(RNGs) or pseudo-RNGs, paytable data or information, and/or applicablegame rules that relate to the play of one or more games on the EGM (suchas primary or base games and/or secondary or bonus games as describedbelow). In various embodiments, part or all of the program code and/orthe operating data described above is stored in at least one detachableor removable memory device including, but not limited to, a cartridge, adisk, a CD ROM, a DVD, a USB memory device, or any other suitablenon-transitory computer readable medium. In certain such embodiments, anoperator (such as a gaming establishment operator) and/or a player usessuch a removable memory device in an EGM to implement at least part ofthe present disclosure. In other embodiments, part or all of the programcode and/or the operating data is downloaded to the at least one memorydevice of the EGM through any suitable data network described above(such as an internet or intranet).

In various embodiments, the EGM includes one or more input devices. Theinput devices may include any suitable device that enables an inputsignal to be produced and received by the at least one processor of theEGM. The example EGM illustrated in FIG. 7B includes at least one inputdevice 1030. One input device of the EGM is a payment device configuredto communicate with the at least one processor of the EGM to fund theEGM. In certain embodiments, the payment device includes one or more of:(a) a bill acceptor into which paper money is inserted to fund the EGM;(b) a ticket acceptor into which a ticket or a voucher is inserted tofund the EGM; (c) a coin slot into which coins or tokens are inserted tofund the EGM; (d) a reader or a validator for credit cards, debit cards,or credit slips into which a credit card, debit card, or credit slip isinserted to fund the EGM; (e) a player identification card reader intowhich a player identification card is inserted to fund the EGM; or (f)any suitable combination thereof. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate exampleEGMs that each include the following payment devices: (a) a combinedbill and ticket acceptor 1128, and (b) a coin slot 1126.

In one embodiment, the EGM includes a payment device configured toenable the EGM to be funded via an electronic funds transfer, such as atransfer of funds from a bank account. In another embodiment, the EGMincludes a payment device configured to communicate with a mobile deviceof a player, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag,or any other suitable wired or wireless device, to retrieve relevantinformation associated with that player to fund the EGM. It should beappreciated that when the EGM is funded, the at least one processordetermines the amount of funds entered and displays the correspondingamount on a credit display or any other suitable display as describedbelow.

In various embodiments, one or more input devices of the EGM are one ormore game play activation devices that are each used to initiate a playof a game on the EGM or a sequence of events associated with the EGMfollowing appropriate funding of the EGM. The example EGMs illustratedin FIGS. 8A and 8B each include a game play activation device in theform of a game play initiation button 32. It should be appreciated that,in other embodiments, the EGM begins game play automatically uponappropriate funding rather than upon utilization of the game playactivation device.

In certain embodiments, one or more input devices of the EGM are one ormore wagering or betting devices. One such wagering or betting device isas a maximum wagering or betting device that, when utilized, causes amaximum wager to be placed. Another such wagering or betting device is arepeat the bet device that, when utilized, causes the previously-placedwager to be placed. A further such wagering or betting device is a betone device. A bet is placed upon utilization of the bet one device. Thebet is increased by one credit each time the bet one device is utilized.Upon the utilization of the bet one device, a quantity of credits shownin a credit display (as described below) decreases by one, and a numberof credits shown in a bet display (as described below) increases by one.

In other embodiments, one input device of the EGM is a cash out device.The cash out device is utilized to receive a cash payment or any othersuitable form of payment corresponding to a quantity of remainingcredits of a credit display (as described below). The example EGMsillustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B each include a cash out device in theform of a cash out button 1134.

In certain embodiments, one input device of the EGM is a touch-screencoupled to a touch-screen controller or other touch-sensitive displayoverlay to enable interaction with any images displayed on a displaydevice (as described below). One such input device is a conventionaltouch-screen button panel. The touch-screen and the touch-screencontroller are connected to a video controller. In these embodiments,signals are input to the EGM by touching the touch screen at theappropriate locations.

In various embodiments, one input device of the EGM is a sensor, such asa camera, in communication with the at least one processor of the EGM(and controlled by the at least one processor of the EGM in someembodiments) and configured to acquire an image or a video of a playerusing the EGM and/or an image or a video of an area surrounding the EGM.

In embodiments including a player tracking system, as further describedbelow, one input device of the EGM is a card reader in communicationwith the at least one processor of the EGM. The example EGMs illustratedin FIGS. 8A and 8B each include a card reader 1138. The card reader isconfigured to read a player identification card inserted into the cardreader.

In various embodiments, the EGM includes one or more output devices. Theexample EGM illustrated in FIG. 7B includes at least one output device1060. One or more output devices of the EGM are one or more displaydevices configured to display any game(s) displayed by the EGM and anysuitable information associated with such game(s). In certainembodiments, the display devices are connected to or mounted on acabinet of the EGM (as described below). In various embodiments, thedisplay devices serves as digital glass configured to advertise certaingames or other aspects of the gaming establishment in which the EGM islocated. In various embodiments, the EGM includes one or more of thefollowing display devices: (a) a central display device; (b) a playertracking display configured to display various information regarding aplayer's player tracking status (as described below); (c) a secondary orupper display device in addition to the central display device and theplayer tracking display; (d) a credit display configured to display acurrent quantity of credits, amount of cash, account balance, or theequivalent; and (e) a bet display configured to display an amountwagered for one or more plays of one or more games. The example EGMillustrated in FIG. 8A includes a central display device 1116, a playertracking display 1140, a credit display 1120, and a bet display 1122.The example EGM illustrated in FIG. 8B includes a central display device1116, an upper display device 1118, a player tracking display 1140, aplayer tracking display 1140, a credit display 1120, and a bet display1122.

In various embodiments, the display devices include, without limitation:a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), adisplay based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), adisplay based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display basedon a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a displayincluding a projected and/or reflected image, or any other suitableelectronic device or display mechanism. In certain embodiments, asdescribed above, the display device includes a touch-screen with anassociated touch-screen controller. It should be appreciated that thedisplay devices may be of any suitable sizes, shapes, andconfigurations.

The display devices of the EGM are configured to display one or moregame and/or non-game images, symbols, and indicia. In certainembodiments, the display devices of the EGM are configured to displayany suitable visual representation or exhibition of the movement ofobjects; dynamic lighting; video images; images of people, characters,places, things, and faces of cards; and the like. In certainembodiments, the display devices of the EGM are configured to displayone or more video reels, one or more video wheels, and/or one or morevideo dice. In other embodiments, certain of the displayed images,symbols, and indicia are in mechanical form. That is, in theseembodiments, the display device includes any electromechanical device,such as one or more rotatable wheels, one or more reels, and/or one ormore dice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game orother suitable images, symbols, or indicia.

In various embodiments, one output device of the EGM is a payout device.In these embodiments, when the cash out device is utilized as describedabove, the payout device causes a payout to be provided to the player.In one embodiment, the payout device is one or more of: (a) a ticketgenerator configured to generate and provide a ticket or credit sliprepresenting a payout, wherein the ticket or credit slip may be redeemedvia a cashier, a kiosk, or other suitable redemption system; (b) a notegenerator configured to provide paper currency; (c) a coin generatorconfigured to provide coins or tokens in a coin payout tray; and (d) anysuitable combination thereof. The example EGMs illustrated in FIGS. 8Aand 8B each include ticket generator 1136. In one embodiment, the EGMincludes a payout device configured to fund an electronically recordableidentification card or smart card or a bank account via an electronicfunds transfer.

In certain embodiments, one output device of the EGM is a soundgenerating device controlled by one or more sound cards. In one suchembodiment, the sound generating device includes one or more speakers orother sound generating hardware and/or software for generating sounds,such as by playing music for any games or by playing music for othermodes of the EGM, such as an attract mode. The example EGMs illustratedin FIGS. 8A and 8B each include a plurality of speakers 1150. In anothersuch embodiment, the EGM provides dynamic sounds coupled with attractivemultimedia images displayed on one or more of the display devices toprovide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise displayfull-motion video with sound to attract players to the EGM. In certainembodiments, the EGM displays a sequence of audio and/or visualattraction messages during idle periods to attract potential players tothe EGM. The videos may be customized to provide any appropriateinformation.

In various embodiments, the EGM includes a plurality of communicationports configured to enable the at least one processor of the EGM tocommunicate with and to operate with external peripherals, such as:accelerometers, arcade sticks, bar code readers, bill validators,biometric input devices, bonus devices, button panels, card readers,coin dispensers, coin hoppers, display screens or other displays orvideo sources, expansion buses, information panels, keypads, lights,mass storage devices, microphones, motion sensors, motors, printers,reels, SCSI ports, solenoids, speakers, thumbsticks, ticket readers,touch screens, trackballs, touchpads, wheels, and wireless communicationdevices. At least U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0254014describes a variety of EGMs including one or more communication portsthat enable the EGMs to communicate and operate with one or moreexternal peripherals.

As generally described above, in certain embodiments, such as theexample EGMs illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the EGM has a supportstructure, housing, or cabinet that provides support for a plurality ofthe input device and the output devices of the EGM. Further, the EGM isconfigured such that a player may operate it while standing or sitting.In various embodiments, the EGM is positioned on a base or stand, or isconfigured as a pub-style tabletop game (not shown) that a player mayoperate typically while sitting. As illustrated by the different exampleEGMs shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, EGMs may have varying cabinet and displayconfigurations.

It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, the EGM is adevice that has obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission,and in other embodiments, the EGM is a device that has not obtainedapproval from a regulatory gaming commission.

As explained above, for brevity and clarity, both the EGMs and thepersonal gaming devices of the present disclosure are collectivelyreferred to herein as “EGMs.” Accordingly, it should be appreciated thatcertain of the example EGMs described above include certain elementsthat may not be included in all EGMs. For example, the payment device ofa personal gaming device such as a mobile telephone may not include acoin acceptor, while in certain instances the payment device of an EGMlocated in a gaming establishment may include a coin acceptor.

Operation of Primary or Base Games and/or Secondary or Bonus Games

In various embodiments, an EGM may be implemented in one of a variety ofdifferent configurations. In various embodiments, the EGM may beimplemented as one of: (a) a dedicated EGM wherein computerized gameprograms executable by the EGM for controlling any primary or base games(referred to herein as “primary games”) and/or any secondary or bonusgames or other functions (referred to herein as “secondary games”)displayed by the EGM are provided with the EGM prior to delivery to agaming establishment or prior to being provided to a player; and (b) achangeable EGM wherein computerized game programs executable by the EGMfor controlling any primary games and/or secondary games displayed bythe EGM are downloadable to the EGM through a data network or remotecommunication link after the EGM is physically located in a gamingestablishment or after the EGM is provided to a player.

As generally explained above, in various embodiments in which the gamingsystem includes a central server, central controller, or remote host anda changeable EGM, the at least one memory device of the central server,central controller, or remote host stores different game programs andinstructions executable by the at least one processor of the changeableEGM to control one or more primary games and/or secondary gamesdisplayed by the changeable EGM. More specifically, each such executablegame program represents a different game or a different type of gamethat the at least one changeable EGM is configured to operate. In oneexample, certain of the game programs are executable by the changeableEGM to operate games having the same or substantially the same game playbut different paytables. In different embodiments, each executable gameprogram is associated with a primary game, a secondary game, or both. Incertain embodiments, an executable game program is executable by the atleast one processor of the at least one changeable EGM as a secondarygame to be played simultaneously with a play of a primary game (whichmay be downloaded to or otherwise stored on the at least one changeableEGM), or vice versa.

In operation of such embodiments, the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host is configured to communicate one or more ofthe stored executable game programs to the at least one processor of thechangeable EGM. In different embodiments, a stored executable gameprogram is communicated or delivered to the at least one processor ofthe changeable EGM by: (a) embedding the executable game program in adevice or a component (such as a microchip to be inserted into thechangeable EGM); (b) writing the executable game program onto a disc orother media; or (c) uploading or streaming the executable game programover a data network (such as a dedicated data network). After theexecutable game program is communicated from the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host to the changeable EGM, the at least oneprocessor of the changeable EGM executes the executable game program toenable the primary game and/or the secondary game associated with thatexecutable game program to be played using the display device(s) and/orthe input device(s) of the changeable EGM. That is, when an executablegame program is communicated to the at least one processor of thechangeable EGM, the at least one processor of the changeable EGM changesthe game or the type of game that may be played using the changeableEGM.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system randomly determines any gameoutcome(s) (such as a win outcome) and/or award(s) (such as a quantityof credits to award for the win outcome) for a play of a primary gameand/or a play of a secondary game based on probability data. In certainsuch embodiments, this random determination is provided throughutilization of an RNG, such as a true RNG or a pseudo RNG, or any othersuitable randomization process. In one such embodiment, each gameoutcome or award is associated with a probability, and the gaming systemgenerates the game outcome(s) and/or the award(s) to be provided basedon the associated probabilities. In these embodiments, since the gamingsystem generates game outcomes and/or awards randomly or based on one ormore probability calculations, there is no certainty that the gamingsystem will ever provide any specific game outcome and/or award.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system maintains one or morepredetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes and/orawards. In certain such embodiments, upon generation or receipt of agame outcome and/or award request, the gaming system independentlyselects one of the predetermined game outcomes and/or awards from theone or more pools or sets. The gaming system flags or marks the selectedgame outcome and/or award as used. Once a game outcome or an award isflagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from itsrespective pool or set; that is, the gaming system does not select thatgame outcome or award upon another game outcome and/or award request.The gaming system provides the selected game outcome and/or award. Atleast U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,470,183; 7,563,163; and 7,833,092 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos. 2005/0148382, 2006/0094509, and2009/0181743 describe various examples of this type of awarddetermination.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system determines a predeterminedgame outcome and/or award based on the results of a bingo, keno, orlottery game. In certain such embodiments, the gaming system utilizesone or more bingo, keno, or lottery games to determine the predeterminedgame outcome and/or award provided for a primary game and/or a secondarygame. The gaming system is provided or associated with a bingo card.Each bingo card consists of a matrix or array of elements, wherein eachelement is designated with separate indicia. After a bingo card isprovided, the gaming system randomly selects or draws a plurality of theelements. As each element is selected, a determination is made as towhether the selected element is present on the bingo card. If theselected element is present on the bingo card, that selected element onthe provided bingo card is marked or flagged. This process of selectingelements and marking any selected elements on the provided bingo cardscontinues until one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one ormore of the provided bingo cards. After one or more predeterminedpatterns are marked on one or more of the provided bingo cards, gameoutcome and/or award is determined based, at least in part, on theselected elements on the provided bingo cards. At least U.S. Pat. Nos.7,753,774; 7,731,581; 7,955,170; and 8,070,579 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2011/0028201 describe various examples ofthis type of award determination.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes a centralserver, central controller, or remote host and an EGM, the EGM isconfigured to communicate with the central server, central controller,or remote host for monitoring purposes only. In such embodiments, theEGM determines the game outcome(s) and/or award(s) to be provided in anyof the manners described above, and the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host monitors the activities and events occurringon the EGM. In one such embodiment, the gaming system includes areal-time or online accounting and gaming information system configuredto communicate with the central server, central controller, or remotehost. In this embodiment, the accounting and gaming information systemincludes: (a) a player database for storing player profiles, (b) aplayer tracking module for tracking players (as described below), and(c) a credit system for providing automated transactions. At least U.S.Pat. No. 6,913,534 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2006/0281541 describe various examples of such accounting systems.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the gaming system includes oneor more executable game programs executable by at least one processor ofthe gaming system to provide one or more primary games and one or moresecondary games. The primary game(s) and the secondary game(s) maycomprise any suitable games and/or wagering games, such as, but notlimited to: electro-mechanical or video slot or spinning reel typegames; video card games such as video draw poker, multi-hand video drawpoker, other video poker games, video blackjack games, and videobaccarat games; video keno games; video bingo games; and video selectiongames.

In certain embodiments in which the primary game is a slot or spinningreel type game, the gaming system includes one or more reels in eitheran electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or in a videoform with simulated reels and movement thereof. Each reel displays aplurality of indicia or symbols, such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers,letters, bars, or other images that typically correspond to a themeassociated with the gaming system. In certain such embodiments, thegaming system includes one or more paylines associated with the reels.The example EGM shown in FIG. 8B includes a payline 1152 and a pluralityof reels 1154. In certain embodiments, one or more of the reels areindependent reels or unisymbol reels. In such embodiments, eachindependent reel generates and displays one symbol.

In various embodiments, one or more of the paylines is horizontal,vertical, circular, diagonal, angled, or any suitable combinationthereof. In other embodiments, each of one or more of the paylines isassociated with a plurality of adjacent symbol display areas on arequisite number of adjacent reels. In one such embodiment, one or morepaylines are formed between at least two symbol display areas that areadjacent to each other by either sharing a common side or sharing acommon corner (i.e., such paylines are connected paylines). The gamingsystem enables a wager to be placed on one or more of such paylines toactivate such paylines. In other embodiments in which one or morepaylines are formed between at least two adjacent symbol display areas,the gaming system enables a wager to be placed on a plurality of symboldisplay areas, which activates those symbol display areas.

In various embodiments, the gaming system provides one or more awardsafter a spin of the reels when specified types and/or configurations ofthe indicia or symbols on the reels occur on an active payline orotherwise occur in a winning pattern, occur on the requisite number ofadjacent reels, and/or occur in a scatter pay arrangement.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system employs a ways to win awarddetermination. In these embodiments, any outcome to be provided isdetermined based on a number of associated symbols that are generated inactive symbol display areas on the requisite number of adjacent reels(i.e., not on paylines passing through any displayed winning symbolcombinations). If a winning symbol combination is generated on thereels, one award for that occurrence of the generated winning symbolcombination is provided. At least U.S. Pat. No. 8,012,011 and U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0108408 and 2008/0132320describe various examples of ways to win award determinations.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes a progressive award.Typically, a progressive award includes an initial amount and anadditional amount funded through a portion of each wager placed toinitiate a play of a primary game. When one or more triggering eventsoccurs, the gaming system provides at least a portion of the progressiveaward. After the gaming system provides the progressive award, an amountof the progressive award is reset to the initial amount and a portion ofeach subsequent wager is allocated to the next progressive award. Atleast U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,766,079; 7,585,223; 7,651,392; 7,666,093;7,780,523; and 7,905,778 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2008/0020846, 2009/0123364, 2009/0123363, and 2010/0227677 describevarious examples of different progressive gaming systems.

As generally noted above, in addition to providing winning credits orother awards for one or more plays of the primary game(s), in variousembodiments the gaming system provides credits or other awards for oneor more plays of one or more secondary games. The secondary gametypically enables an award to be obtained addition to any award obtainedthrough play of the primary game(s). The secondary game(s) typicallyproduces a higher level of player excitement than the primary game(s)because the secondary game(s) provides a greater expectation of winningthan the primary game(s) and is accompanied with more attractive orunusual features than the primary game(s). It should be appreciated thatthe secondary game(s) may be any type of suitable game, either similarto or completely different from the primary game.

In various embodiments, the gaming system automatically provides orinitiates the secondary game upon the occurrence of a triggering eventor the satisfaction of a qualifying condition. In other embodiments, thegaming system initiates the secondary game upon the occurrence of thetriggering event or the satisfaction of the qualifying condition andupon receipt of an initiation input. In certain embodiments, thetriggering event or qualifying condition is a selected outcome in theprimary game(s) or a particular arrangement of one or more indicia on adisplay device for a play of the primary game(s), such as a “BONUS”symbol appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline following aspin of the reels for a play of the primary game. In other embodiments,the triggering event or qualifying condition occurs based on a certainamount of game play (such as number of games, number of credits, amountof time) being exceeded, or based on a specified number of points beingearned during game play. It should be appreciated that any suitabletriggering event or qualifying condition or any suitable combination ofa plurality of different triggering events or qualifying conditions maybe employed.

In other embodiments, at least one processor of the gaming systemrandomly determines when to provide one or more plays of one or moresecondary games. In one such embodiment, no apparent reason is providedfor the providing of the secondary game. In this embodiment, qualifyingfor a secondary game is not triggered by the occurrence of an event inany primary game or based specifically on any of the plays of anyprimary game. That is, qualification is provided without any explanationor, alternatively, with a simple explanation. In another suchembodiment, the gaming system determines qualification for a secondarygame at least partially based on a game triggered or symbol triggeredevent, such as at least partially based on play of a primary game.

In various embodiments, after qualification for a secondary game hasbeen determined, the secondary game participation may be enhancedthrough continued play on the primary game. Thus, in certainembodiments, for each secondary game qualifying event, such as asecondary game symbol, that is obtained, a given number of secondarygame wagering points or credits is accumulated in a “secondary gamemeter” configured to accrue the secondary game wagering credits orentries toward eventual participation in the secondary game. In one suchembodiment, the occurrence of multiple such secondary game qualifyingevents in the primary game results in an arithmetic or exponentialincrease in the number of secondary game wagering credits awarded. Inanother such embodiment, any extra secondary game wagering credits maybe redeemed during the secondary game to extend play of the secondarygame.

In certain embodiments, no separate entry fee or buy-in for thesecondary game is required. That is, entry into the secondary gamecannot be purchased; rather, in these embodiments entry must be won orearned through play of the primary game, thereby encouraging play of theprimary game. In other embodiments, qualification for the secondary gameis accomplished through a simple “buy-in.” For example, qualificationthrough other specified activities is unsuccessful, payment of a fee orplacement of an additional wager “buys-in” to the secondary game. Incertain embodiments, a separate side wager must be placed on thesecondary game or a wager of a designated amount must be placed on theprimary game to enable qualification for the secondary game. In theseembodiments, the secondary game triggering event must occur and the sidewager (or designated primary game wager amount) must have been placedfor the secondary game to trigger.

In various embodiments in which the gaming system includes a pluralityof EGMs, the EGMs are configured to communicate with one another toprovide a group gaming environment. In certain such embodiments, theEGMs enable players of those EGMs to work in conjunction with oneanother, such as by enabling the players to play together as a team orgroup, to win one or more awards. In other such embodiments, the EGMsenable players of those EGMs to compete against one another for one ormore awards. In one such embodiment, the EGMs enable the players ofthose EGMs to participate in one or more gaming tournaments for one ormore awards. At least U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2007/0123341, 2008/0070680, 2008/0176650, and 2009/0124363 describevarious examples of different group gaming systems.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes one or more playertracking systems. Such player tracking systems enable operators of thegaming system (such as casinos or other gaming establishments) torecognize the value of customer loyalty by identifying frequentcustomers and rewarding them for their patronage. Such a player trackingsystem is configured to track a player's gaming activity. In one suchembodiment, the player tracking system does so through the use of playertracking cards. In this embodiment, a player is issued a playeridentification card that has an encoded player identification numberthat uniquely identifies the player. When the player's playing trackingcard is inserted into a card reader of the gaming system to begin agaming session, the card reader reads the player identification numberoff the player tracking card to identify the player. The gaming systemtimely tracks any suitable information or data relating to theidentified player's gaming session. The gaming system also timely trackswhen the player tracking card is removed to conclude play for thatgaming session. In another embodiment, rather than requiring insertionof a player tracking card into the card reader, the gaming systemutilizes one or more portable devices, such as a cell phone, a radiofrequency identification tag, or any other suitable wireless device, totrack when a gaming session begins and ends. In another embodiment, thegaming system utilizes any suitable biometric technology or tickettechnology to track when a gaming session begins and ends.

In such embodiments, during one or more gaming sessions, the gamingsystem tracks any suitable information or data, such as any amountswagered, average wager amounts, and/or the time at which these wagersare placed. In different embodiments, for one or more players, theplayer tracking system includes the player's account number, theplayer's card number, the player's first name, the player's surname, theplayer's preferred name, the player's player tracking ranking, anypromotion status associated with the player's player tracking card, theplayer's address, the player's birthday, the player's anniversary, theplayer's recent gaming sessions, or any other suitable data. In variousembodiments, such tracked information and/or any suitable featureassociated with the player tracking system is displayed on a playertracking display. In various embodiments, such tracked informationand/or any suitable feature associated with the player tracking systemis displayed via one or more service windows that are displayed on thecentral display device and/or the upper display device. At least U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,722,985; 6,908,387; 7,311,605; 7,611,411; 7,617,151; and8,057,298 describe various examples of player tracking systems.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresent embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and withoutdiminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that suchchanges and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A gaming system comprising: adisplay device; a wager-input device; an acceptor supported by thehousing and configured to receive a physical item associated with amonetary value; a processor; and a memory device that stores a pluralityof instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to: (a) establish a credit balance based at least in part onthe monetary value associated with the physical item responsive toreceipt of the physical item by the acceptor; (b) place a wagerresponsive to receipt of a wager input by the wager-input device, thecredit balance decreasable by the wager; (c) initiate a play of a gameassociated with multiple symbol generators each including a plurality ofsymbols, wherein each symbol generator of a first set of one or more ofthe symbol generators is initially associated with a firstcharacteristic and each symbol generator of a second set of one or moreof the symbol generators is initially associated with a second differentcharacteristic; (d) for a first activation of the symbol generators: (1)randomly determine and cause the display device to display a pluralityof the symbols on the symbol generators; (2) determine and cause thedisplay device to display any awards associated with the displayedsymbols, the credit balance increasable by any awards; (3) randomlydetermine whether to increase one of: (A) a total quantity of the symbolgenerators associated with the first characteristic, and (B) a totalquantity of the symbol generators associated with the secondcharacteristic; (4) responsive to randomly determining to increase thetotal quantity of the symbol generators associated with the firstcharacteristic, modify a first one of the symbol generators to increasethe total quantity of the symbol generators associated with the firstcharacteristic for a second subsequent activation of the symbolgenerators; and (5) responsive to randomly determining to increase thetotal quantity of the symbol generators associated with the secondcharacteristic, modify a second one of the symbol generators to increasethe total quantity of the symbol generators associated with the secondcharacteristic for the second activation of the symbol generators; and(e) initiate a payout associated with the credit balance responsive to acashout input.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to,responsive to randomly determining to increase the total quantity of thesymbol generators associated with the first characteristic, modify thefirst one of the symbol generators to: (1) increase the total quantityof the symbol generators associated with the first characteristic; and(2) decrease the total quantity of the symbol generators associated withthe second characteristic.
 3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein theplurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to, responsive to randomly determining to increase the totalquantity of the symbol generators associated with the secondcharacteristic, modify the second one of the symbol generators to: (1)increase the total quantity of the symbol generators associated with thesecond characteristic; and (2) decrease the total quantity of the symbolgenerators associated with the first characteristic.
 4. The gamingsystem of claim 1, wherein each symbol generator of a third set of oneor more of the symbol generators is initially associated with a thirdcharacteristic that is different from the first and secondcharacteristics.
 5. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein the pluralityof instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to,responsive to randomly determining to increase the total quantity of thesymbol generators associated with the first characteristic, modify thefirst one of the symbol generators to: (1) increase the total quantityof the symbol generators associated with the first characteristic; and(2) if the modified one of the symbol generators was associated with thethird characteristic, not decrease the total quantity of the symbolgenerators associated with the second characteristic.
 6. The gamingsystem of claim 5, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executedby the processor, cause the processor to, responsive to randomlydetermining to increase the total quantity of the symbol generatorsassociated with the second characteristic, modify the second one of thesymbol generators to: (1) increase the total quantity of the symbolgenerators associated with the second characteristic; and (2) if themodified one of the symbol generators was associated with the thirdcharacteristic, not decrease the total quantity of the symbol generatorsassociated with the first characteristic.
 7. The gaming system of claim4, wherein the first set initially includes a first plurality of thesymbol generators each initially associated with the firstcharacteristic, the second set initially includes a second plurality ofthe symbol generators each initially associated with the secondcharacteristic, and the symbol generators are initially adjacentlyarranged such that the one or more symbol generators of the third setseparate the first plurality of the symbol generators from the secondplurality of the symbol generators.
 8. The gaming system of claim 1,wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to repeat (d)(1) to (d)(5) for the second activationof the symbol generators.
 9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to: (1) place a wager on one of the first and secondcharacteristics responsive to a wager input; and (2) after one or moreof the symbol generators have been modified such that all of the symbolgenerators are associated with a same one of the first and secondcharacteristics, determine and cause the display device to display anaward based on the wager if the wagered-on characteristic is the samecharacteristic with which the symbol generators are associated.
 10. Thegaming system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to: place the wager on aplay of a primary game responsive to receipt of the wager input;determine and cause the at least one display device to display a primarygame outcome and any primary game awards based on the determined primarygame outcome, the credit balance increasable by any primary game awards;and responsive to an occurrence of a bonus triggering event, initiatethe play of the game.
 11. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein thefirst symbol generator is different from the second symbol generator.12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the first characteristic is afirst theme and the second characteristic is a second theme, whereineach symbol generator associated with the first characteristic includesa displayed first identifier that identifies the first theme, andwherein each symbol generator associated with the second characteristicincludes a displayed second identifier that identifies the second theme.13. The gaming system of claim 12, wherein the plurality ofinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to,responsive to randomly determining to increase the total quantity of thesymbol generators associated with the first characteristic, modify thefirst one of the symbol generators such that the first one of the symbolgenerators is associated with the first theme and includes the displayedfirst identifier.
 14. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein theplurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to, responsive to randomly determining to increase the totalquantity of the symbol generators associated with the secondcharacteristic, modify the second one of the symbol generators such thatthe second one of the symbol generators is associated with the secondtheme and includes the displayed second identifier.
 15. A method ofoperating a gaming system, the method comprising: (a) establishing, by aprocessor, a credit balance based at least in part on a monetary valueassociated with a physical item responsive to receipt of the physicalitem by an acceptor; (b) placing, by the processor, a wager responsiveto receipt of a wager input by a wager-input device, the credit balancedecreasable by the wager; (c) initiating, by a processor, a play of agame associated with multiple symbol generators each including aplurality of symbols, wherein each symbol generator of a first set ofone or more of the symbol generators is initially associated with afirst characteristic and each symbol generator of a second set of one ormore of the symbol generators is initially associated with a seconddifferent characteristic; (d) for a first activation of the symbolgenerators: (1) randomly determining, by the processor, and causing, bythe processor, a display device to display a plurality of the symbols onthe symbol generators; (2) determining, by the processor, and causing,by the processor, the display device to display any awards associatedwith the displayed symbols, the credit balance increasable by anyawards; (3) randomly determining, by the processor, whether to increaseone of: (A) a total quantity of the symbol generators associated withthe first characteristic, and (B) a total quantity of the symbolgenerators associated with the second characteristic; (4) responsive torandomly determining to increase the total quantity of the symbolgenerators associated with the first characteristic, modifying, by theprocessor, a first one of the symbol generators to increase the totalquantity of the symbol generators associated with the firstcharacteristic for a second subsequent activation of the symbolgenerators; and (5) responsive to randomly determining to increase thetotal quantity of the symbol generators associated with the secondcharacteristic, modifying, by the processor, a second one of the symbolgenerators to increase the total quantity of the symbol generatorsassociated with the second characteristic for the second activation ofthe symbol generators; and (e) initiating, by the processor, a payoutassociated with the credit balance responsive to a cashout input. 16.The method of claim 15, which includes, responsive to randomlydetermining to increase the total quantity of the symbol generatorsassociated with the first characteristic, modifying, by the processor,the first one of the symbol generators to: (1) increase the totalquantity of the symbol generators associated with the firstcharacteristic; and (2) decrease the total quantity of the symbolgenerators associated with the second characteristic.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, which includes, responsive to randomly determining to increasethe total quantity of the symbol generators associated with the secondcharacteristic, modifying, by the processor, the second one of thesymbol generators to: (1) increase the total quantity of the symbolgenerators associated with the second characteristic; and (2) decreasethe total quantity of the symbol generators associated with the firstcharacteristic.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein each symbolgenerator of a third set of one or more of the symbol generators isinitially associated with a third characteristic that is different fromthe first and second characteristics.
 19. The method of claim 18, whichincludes, responsive to randomly determining to increase the totalquantity of the symbol generators associated with the firstcharacteristic, modifying, by the processor, the first one of the symbolgenerators to: (1) increase the total quantity of the symbol generatorsassociated with the first characteristic; and (2) if the modified one ofthe symbol generators was associated with the third characteristic, notdecrease the total quantity of the symbol generators associated with thesecond characteristic.
 20. The method of claim 19, which includes,responsive to randomly determining to increase the total quantity of thesymbol generators associated with the second characteristic, modifying,by the processor, the second one of the symbol generators to: (1)increase the total quantity of the symbol generators associated with thesecond characteristic; and (2) if the modified one of the symbolgenerators was associated with the third characteristic, not decreasethe total quantity of the symbol generators associated with the firstcharacteristic.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the first setinitially includes a first plurality of the symbol generators eachinitially associated with the first characteristic, the second setinitially includes a second plurality of the symbol generators eachinitially associated with the second characteristic, and the symbolgenerators are initially adjacently arranged such that the one or moresymbol generators of the third set separate the first plurality of thesymbol generators from the second plurality of the symbol generators.22. The method of claim 15, which includes repeating (d)(1) to (d)(5)for the second activation of the symbol generators.
 23. The method ofclaim 15, which includes: (1) placing, by the processor, a wager on oneof the first and second characteristics responsive to a wager input; and(2) after one or more of the symbol generators have been modified suchthat all of the symbol generators are associated with a same one of thefirst and second characteristics, determining, by the processor, andcausing, by the processor, the display device to display an award basedon the wager if the wagered-on characteristic is the same characteristicwith which the symbol generators are associated.
 24. The method of claim15, which includes: receiving, by the acceptor, the physical itemassociated with the monetary value; placing, by the processor, the wageron a play of a primary game responsive to receipt of the wager input;determining, by the processor, and causing, by the processor, thedisplay device to display a primary game outcome and any primary gameawards based on the determined primary game outcome, the credit balanceincreasable by any primary game awards; responsive to an occurrence of abonus triggering event, initiating, by the processor, the play of thegame; and receiving the cashout input.
 25. The method of claim 15,wherein the first symbol generator is different from the second symbolgenerator.
 26. The method of claim 15, wherein the first characteristicis a first theme and the second characteristic is a second theme,wherein each symbol generator associated with the first characteristicincludes a displayed first identifier that identifies the first theme,and wherein each symbol generator associated with the secondcharacteristic includes a displayed second identifier that identifiesthe second theme.
 27. The method of claim 26, which includes modifying,by the processor and responsive to randomly determining to increase thetotal quantity of the symbol generators associated with the firstcharacteristic, the first one of the symbol generators such that thefirst one of the symbol generators is associated with the first themeand includes the displayed first identifier.
 28. The method of claim 27,which includes modifying, by the processor and responsive to randomlydetermining to increase the total quantity of the symbol generatorsassociated with the second characteristic, the second one of the symbolgenerators such that the second one of the symbol generators isassociated with the second theme and includes the displayed secondidentifier.